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Home » Gear » Travel Sim's » best international sim cards

9 BEST International SIM Cards for Travel (Buyer’s Guide • 2024)

SIM cards are a royal pain in the butt when travelling. Every time you land somewhere new, you have to perform the same song and dance of going out of your way to get a new sim pretty much as soon as possible.

Usually what happens is that you land in the airport and then you either get ripped off buying a SIM card there or navigate to town without any connectivity. Once you’re in town, you have to navigate a foreign city sifting through local SIM providers, various plans, and also probably getting lost along the way. It’s not the ideal way to start a vacation and I cannot even count the hours I’ve lost shopping for sims in new countries.

That’s why buying one of the best international SIM cards is THE way to go.

An International SIM card is one which will work all over the world meaning that you never have to change it again – no more messing around at the O2 Kiosk in strange airports!

Now, to set the record straight, while there are cheaper travel SIM cards in existence, they still aren’t exactly cheap. Nine times out of ten, a local SIM card is always going to be the cheaper option for budget backpackers.

Maybe you’re a digital nomad who always needs to be connected, maybe you’re a high-flying businessperson with fancy business attire who makes busy business calls while on holiday or maybe (like me) you are just sick of having to change sims.

Either way, this is the list of the best international SIM cards on the market! I’ve done all the leg-work and the research to deliver an international SIM cards review in full. So let’s get ourselves connected.

Compare The Best International SIM Cards

What is an international sim card, the best sim cards for international travellers, international data sim cards for digital nomads, social media addicts, and tinder aficionados, a quick review of each sim card, frequently asked questions about travel sim cards, should you buy an international sim card.

This isn’t the whole roundup but it is my personal pick of the best international SIM cards worth looking into, each one serving a different niche.

• > e-Sim and Traditional Sims available
• > Wide and reliable coverage
• > Low SIM-purchasing fees

• > Virtual sim – no plastic needed!
• > Excellent range of packages
• > Download before you leave home

TravelSim Worldwide Card

• > Cheaper initial cost
• > Some cheaper rates for off-beat countries
• > No long-standing reputation

• > Excellent value – starts at $1
• > Range of packages available
• > Great coverage

KeepGo Lifetime World SIM Card

• > Reliable connection
• > Prone to cutting rates
• > Coverage could be better

Surfroam SIM Card

• > Simple rates – no bundle packs
• > Huge coverage
• > Requires a PRO account for maximum coverage

Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM Card

• > Extremely reliable in Europe
• > Easily sufficient for a two-week holiday
• > Excludes a number of countries in Europe

International SIMs, roaming SIMs, travel SIM Cards whatever: a rose by any name can still order you a pizza when you don’t want to leave the guesthouse after all right? That’s what an international SIM card is, a SIM card that will have you hooked up from “anywhere” .

Why did you put ‘anywhere’ in quotes?

Because it’s a highly variable anywhere. “Anywhere” really means from the countries that the international SIM covers. That said, some of these travel SIM providers cover over 200 countries.

That also said, there are only 195 countries in the world so I’m not sure how they mathed those numbers out. Still unsure, have a look at our guide to local vs international SIM cards .

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So, how does an international SIM card work?

Without getting too technical, an international SIM card isn’t programmed to one specific network. It’s programmed to operate on a number of networks in a number of different geographical locations – specifically, networks using the GSM (Global Systems of Management Communications) framework.

That’s why to use your cell phone internationally with a travel SIM card it needs to be:

• GSM-compatible (many phones are).
• Unlocked, i.e. not tied to a provider.

Do be sure about that unlocked phone bit before you go ahead and buy a new one.

Basically, global SIM cards will plug into a local network from the country you’re travelling to… Consensually, of course.

That’s why coverage so strongly varies among the many international SIMs. Some SIM cards are for worldwide use and programmed accordingly. Some SIM cards are for international roaming in certain regions like Asia, the USA, or Europe (usually, omitting a third of Europe in their coverage).

For example, you’ll need a different sim card for Canada and the USA in most cases, but in Europe you’ll more than likely be able to use the same one.

Who benefits from buying an international SIM card?

Well, like I said, not so much the longterm backpacker types . A local SIM card is pretty much always cheaper and much more practical (and reliable) for long stays in any country. Unfortunately, actual cheap international sim cards don’t exist yet.

Country-hoppers , on the other hand, may want to consider buying some sort of prepaid international SIM card. Buying local sim cards in Europe for only 1-2 weeks of use eight times in a trip is nobody’s idea of fun, especially if you care about data usage and double especially if you care about plastic ending up in the ocean.

People living the digital nomad lifestyle may also benefit from a travel SIM. Though a local SIM is much more equipped for longterm stays in a country, sometimes the options or service is crap and sometimes you’ll spend long stretches in transit which is a perfect time to crunch out a few hours. Besides, there is no rule that says you can’t have two SIMs. A prepaid international sim card might be the best option here (more about that later).

Lastly, business people or people that take frequent short trips will benefit from a SIM card for international travel. I might be stereotyping here but I kinda feel that these folk are less concerned with the costs associated. Plus, most SIM cards for overseas use tend to have 1-year validity for purchased credit, so it’s totally viable to park your SIM after a trip and then pop it back in for the next one.

Beginning the list are the top international SIM cards for travelling that do everything a SIM card should do: call, texts, and mobile data . These SIMs have some pretty major coverage globally and for most travellers in the world, are more than sufficient.

Of course, there has to be a best-of-the-best in this international sim card comparison. So first up–the best travel SIM card!

#1 The Best International Physical SIM Card – OneSim

Ok, so what makes OneSim the best travel SIM card? It’s a fine difference between the first few candidates but OneSim edges out on top for a combination of versatility, pricing, and reliability.

First up, they offer multiple different SIM cards each catering to different travelling needs INCLUDING (but not limited to) 2 awesome e-Sim options :

• OneSimCard e-Sim World (From $9.95) – Coverage of 150 countries with free incoming calls on EU numbers.
• OneSimCard e-Sim Asiana (From $9.95) – Specially designed for Asia and Oceania. Data packages available.

If your phone is not yet e-Sim ready, then worry not because OneSim also offer some excellent deals on plastic sims:

• OneSimCard Universal ($29.95) – Coverage of over 200 countries but with a more limited data service (50+) countries.
• OneSimCard Expedition ($34.95) – Offers much the same coverage as the OneSim Universal travel SIM but with way more data coverage. It’s the choice for the explorers.

How OneSim Works

You’ll get a $10 bonus credit with any OneSIM roaming SIM card purchase, but once that’s gone, you’ll have to continue buying data plans. Rates vary wildly by both the choice of travel SIM card you are using and the country you’re in so you’ll need to check these rates to see if they suit you.

You’ll receive two numbers: a European (Estonian) number and a choice of one from the USA, UK, Australia, or Canada. Incoming calls on the primary European number is free in a large coverage of countries or starting from $0.25/min otherwise. Outgoing calls also start from $0.25/min (dependent on locations) and receiving texts are free.

Casual data rates start at rather hefty $0.20/MB . However, what makes this such a good prepaid international SIM card is that there is a lot of choices to lower your costs. You can buy data bundles ranging from one/two weeks to a month divided by zone or region. There are also discount plans and bundles available for call rates. This makes the OneSIM one of the best international SIM cards for data as well.

So, is it worth it?

Although not strictly the cheapest international SIM card on the market, the wealth of choices means that you can tailor your SIM card to your world travel needs and minimize costs. The added bonus is that OneSim has been kicking around for a while so they know the market well.

They provide a reliable service, as well as a bunch of neat extras, to keep their clients happy chappies. If you’re looking for the best sim card for international travel, OneSIM is definitely one you should consider getting.

#2 Best Global eSim Provider – GigSky

If you have a modern phone (iPhone 11 , Samsung Galaxy S21, etc or above) it will probably be eSim compatible. This means that you don’t actually need a plastic SIM card but can simply download an eSim via GigSky the same way you would download an app.

When I first heard of eSim about one year ago, it was something of a niche product simply because most travellers were using phones and devices that were not eSim compatible. However that is changing fast and by 2024, an estimated 80% of travellers will use eSim. The eSim marketplace is a very exciting one and the providers are contently innovating to come up with some new, better, cheaper packages – according to our research, GigSk are currently leading the pack.

How GigSky Works

I had the pleasure of reviewing Gigsky and It’s really very simple. You either download the GigSky App (which we do recommend) or else go to their website and check out their “Global Plans”. You buy the package you want (in the 5GB World Plan) and download it not your phone BEFORE you fly, using either a link or a QR code.

The joy of eSim is that you can install it before you leave and then activate as soon as the plane touches down meaning you are rocking and rolling all over the world before you even get your luggage.

GigSky offer 1 Global Package only – 5GB over 30 days for $69.99. I can be topped up (if you somehow burn through all 5GB) but it cannot be extended past the 30 days.

So, Is It Worth It?

Well, $69.99 is a lot for a 30 day package but International Sim Packages do not come cheap. GigSky also have a wide range of global carrier partners meaning their offer better connectively than most platers in this space.

Overall though, in terms of sheer convenience yes GigSky is worth it – you you can browse for and install an eSim from the comfort your device and get it ready to use before you even leave home which saves a whole lotta hassle. However, the package does NOT include an actual phone number which is a bit of a bummer.

#3 Great Global eSim Package – Sim Local

Sim Local is recognized as a global leader in the travel SIM card and eSIM retail market. The company specializes in serving global travellers, enabling them to stay connected while avoiding expensive roaming charges. During my review of Sim Local , I was impressed to see they provide local SIM cards and eSIM profiles directly to customers through a variety of channels, including retail stores, kiosks, vending machines, a mobile app, and an eShop.

Their services are aimed at offering significant savings on data, calls, and texts compared to traditional roaming options, and they also offer a range of mobile handsets and accessories tailored to the needs of travellers.

How Sim Local Works

First up, note that Sim Local are an eSim-only provider so if you’re phone is not eSim ready…go elsewhere. Providing it is, you simply hop over to their site or get the app and check out their global packages. At the time of writing the site offers their own brand one for just $10 for 3 days, or an Orange one that costs $28.00 for 14 days.

I’ll be frank, eSims are still often more expensive than buying physical sims but they are a lot easier to install and to operate and best of all, you can install them before you even leave home. In my view, $28.00 for 10GB of data over 14 days is good value for an international sim but bear in mind it don’t come with a local numero.

#4 A Worldwide SIM Card – WorldSIM

WorldSIM gets a mention on this list because it’s another puller in the market with some comparatively awesome rates. It’s also got some really weirdly expensive outlying rates. As such, we certainly don’t feel like it’s a fit for the best SIM card for international roaming.

How WorldSim Works

The WorldSIM international SIM card has no purchasing fee- woo! Now, before you get too excited, it does require a top-up of credit at purchase.

That means that you’re paying a minimum of $33.75 plus shipping . For $67.50 of credit, shipping is free.

The casual rates for outgoing calls, texts, and data usage are the cheapest I’ve found so far with data coverage extending to countries missed out on by OneSim. Except, a lot of the rates in various countries for incoming calls are shockingly high.

As for the data bundles? No idea. Their website isn’t working for that page and is just stuck in an infinitely loading loop.

Our gut says no. But, you do you. You shouldn’t base your decisions on buying an international SIM card on the gut instincts of a stranger online. All the same though, our gut says no.

Between the mildly bait-and-switch-y “$0” SIM purchasing fee, the janky and unwieldy website, and the weird incoming call rates that could potentially trap an unwitting consumer, WorldSIM in review doesn’t feel like an international SIM card worth purchasing, especially in comparison to other choices on the market.

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These are the best international  data SIM cards for those of us that scoot by without the extras.

#1 Best Data Only eSIM Card for International Travel – Jetpac

Jetpac is a Singapore based eSIM company who offer packages, designed primarily for travellers and Digital Nomads. They offer various data plans that can be used across many countries, and the service includes features like free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.

Jetpac eSIMs are compatible with a range of devices, including many models from Apple, Samsung, and Google. To activate a Jetpac eSIM, users need to sign up on the Jetpac website or app, choose a plan that fits their travel needs, and then scan a QR code to install the eSIM on their device.

We love Jetpac for its ease of setup and reliable connectivity. JetPac makes it a handy tool for international travel, ensuring continuous access to mobile data across multiple destinations. While they don’t offer local numbers, we love that most of their packs last for 30 days by default so you can just concentrate on how much data you need.

Wanna know more: Check out our detailed Jetpac eSim card review here.

How it Works

The Jetpac worldwide eSIM card comes in a variety of different data packages. Data can be topped up with a number of plans ranging from 100 MB up to a slammin’ 25 GB ! The prices of data top-ups are:

• 1 GB – $1
• 3 GB – $10
• 5 GB – $25
• 10 GB – $30
• 25 GB – $38

Absolutely. I mean, come on it starts at one-freaking-dollar and works all over the world. All in all we’d consider this one of the best pre paid international data only sim cards on the market.

#2 A Simple Data SIM Card for Worldwide Travel – Surfroam

Yay! No prepaid data packages, no contractual mumbo-jumbo, no running out of data right when you settle in for a long Netflix and poop session: Surfroam keeps it Pura Vida!

It’s data-only with coverage of 200+ countries – even Afghanistan and Yemen are covered! So, what’s the go?

Essentially, you pay €45 for the physical SIM card (which includes €25 credit) and then top-up as you go with pack options starting at €25 . You’re charged a pay-as-you-go rate per megabyte starting as low as €0.01/MB . So that’s way cheaper than the KeepGo data roaming sim card, right? Not quite…

Rates vary substantially by country so while this going to be a cheaper option across, say, Europe, it may not necessarily pan out that way in other places. That said, prices are still pretty cheap for most places and tend to beat out KeepGo.

As a final note, there is an eSIM (€30) available with the same data rates.

Ok, so ‘simple’ might be stretching it upon reflection, however, once you’re away, its streams ablaze! If you’re jet-setting and changing countries a lot, you will need to stay keyed in as to the rates .

Otherwise, the coverage significantly beats out KeepGo, and in many cases, Surfroam will end up being the cheapest international data SIM card you can purchase. It’s the simplest choice for staying connected pretty much anywhere in the world.

#3 The Best International SIM Card for Europe – Orange Holiday Europe

Are you just doing a little banger holiday in Europe and need a physical SIM card for your travels? Orange has got you covered. Specifically:

• Orange Holiday Europe SIM Card
• Orange Holiday Zen SIM Card

The Orange Holiday Zen is for light usage or a short trip. It’s a straight prepaid SIM card for travellers in Europe and it couldn’t be simpler.

For $27.29 , you get 8 GB of data, 30 minutes of calls worldwide, 200 texts, all lasting for 14 days before it expires. The Holiday Zen covers 30 countries in Europe including all the heavy-hitters, if you need a sim in Italy , Greece or Spain it’s perfect but it certainly doesn’t cover all of Europe (my boy Serbia – forever underrepresented). Still, this makes it one of the best European SIM Cards for travellers.

The Orange Holiday Europe takes all of that and just upgrades it: 20 GB in data, 120 minutes, and 1000 texts for $44 . The same coverage of countries applies and it’s a 14-day expiry again.

Orange also partners with a bunch of networks around the world- even offering an Israeli sim card called partner. If you take a look around their website, you can find more far-flung networks than you expected!

Both cards are able to be topped up online for more credit.

Yeah, so I wouldn’t call ‘30 countries in Europe’ an internationally roaming SIM card, but it is a super simple choice for anyone just travelling to Europe for a holiday. It’ll keep you safe in an emergency thanks to that fact that it’s not a data only service. Plus: you’ll have a SIM ready from the moment you land!

Orange is a pretty major sim provider in France so you’ll have a consistent connection. There’s no constant checking of rates calculators either. It’s just a perfectly simple prepaid SIM card for any travellers heading to Europe.

Y’all want more? Another option to look at is getting an Airalo eSim instead.

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Some commonly asked questions about the world’s best travel SIM cards…

How do I activate my international SIM card?

Each international SIM comes with detailed instructions on how to set up and load your SIM. It’s always a good idea to get things set up before you leave home to avoid any mishaps.

What does international SIM mean?

An international SIM is a type of SIM card that will allow you to use your phone internationally by connecting to global carriers. Some of these SIMs will allow you to make calls as you normally would, while others only offer data plans.

What is the best SIM card for international travel?

Some of the best SIMs for international travel include OneSim , Nomad , KeepGo , and TravelSim .

Do international SIM cards expire?

Most of the SIMs on this list require you to recharge at least once a year, but in doing so all your data will remain usable.

That depends on how you travel. If you’re adept at buying prepaid SIM cards locally when you hit the ground, then I wouldn’t worry.

However, for the people that an international SIM card suits the travelling style and needs of, then yes, definitely. I think if you’re that person, then you probably already know that you’re that person.

People looking for the all-round ol’ reliable, OneSim is the go-to choice of travel SIM cards. For those who want the best data SIM card they can use overseas, that choice is KeepGo .

Skip the lines and skip the painful errand days in a foreign city. Buy one of the best international SIM cards you can and have yourself connected before you even touchdown on the landing.

Want another kind of sim card? Check out the revolutionary new Nomad e-sim , an app-based sim card covering over 100 countries that can be organised before you leave home! If that’s not enough, there’s another new service from HolaFly which offers similar coverage and deals so check them both out and see which fits your needs best.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ziggy Samuels

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I think eSIMS are the future gamechanger here. You can download a digital SIM to your phone which has eSIM support.

I use a second phone to provide data to my main phone via bluetooth internet sharing. Wifi sharing can be used as well but bluetooth uses less power. On my main phone I leave the mobile data turned off and use the paired second phone for data. This allows me to use my main phone for Whatsapp, iMessage, email, etc.

10/10 review – exactly the type of info I was after. Plus, I liked your no BS style of writing. Thanks.

Thanks! Very useful! My main concern is regarding how long do the sim cards remain active if you are not buying credit regularly. I usually travel at least once or twice to congresses per year, but I wonder if some of these cards would stop working after a long time inactive. Is that information available for the cards discussed here? Cheers!

Heya, absolutely you can find that info! It’ll be in the terms and conditions/fine print for individual cards/plans. I’d like to say most last at least a year (which always seemed standard for SIM cards in general), but defs check that before you go buying any SIMs. Good question though!

You guys should definitely include DENT, a block chain based international E-Sim card, that offers flexibel data exchange. You can sell your unused data and always find the cheapest offer worldwide and cross boarder operational. Can’t be missed from this list!

Dude – hectic! I’m defs not about to go and update this article, but I looked and DENT seems pretty legit and totally worth the investigation. Anyone reading these comments, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not scoping them out at least! 😀

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Best prepaid SIM Cards for U.S. travelers and tourists 2024

Make sure your phone speaks the right language.

At a glance

Best overall, best for short stays, best budget, best non-mvno, best prepaid data plan, best data-only plan.

At a glance 1. Best overall 2. Best for short stays 3. Best budget 4. Best non-MVNO 5. Best prepaid data plan 6. Best data-only plan FAQ

Whether you're going on a quick vacation or moving for good, it's never a bad idea to invest in one of the best prepaid SIM cards so you can stay in touch with friends and family back home. If you're having trouble choosing among all of the options that are out there, fear not: we've gathered all of the best prepaid SIM cards for travelers so you don't have to worry. 

As long as your Android phone is unlocked for international use and compatible with local networks, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, ordering a SIM card online or through a nearby retailer should be simple. 

Keep reading for all of the best prepaid SIM cards for U.S. travelers and tourists alike. If you want to go even deeper, you can also check out our guide to the best MVNO carriers or save some cash with the best MVNO deals of the month. 

From $15 at Mint Mobile

Soon to be owned by T-Mobile, a Mint Mobile SIM is a perfect choice if you're staying in the U.S. for three months or longer, with unlimited talk/text, a mobile hotspot, and more. 

Read more below.

From $19 at Ultra Mobile

The Ultra Mobile 3GB plan gives you a month of unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide on T-Mobile, up to 3GB of 5G/4G LTE data, and free Wi-Fi calling.

Read more below.  

From $15 at Lycamobile

If the ability to call abroad is your main focus, all Lycamobile plans come with unlimited talk and text to over 85 countries and a variety of data options.

From $30 at AT&T

Best non-MVNO 

Choose AT&T Prepaid's 5GB plan for $30 per month and you'll get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data with 5G access and the ability to text over 230 countries for free.

From $40 at T-Mobile

T-Mobile's prepaid plan is a little pricey, but you get 10GB of data, a free mobile hotspot, and access to the world's largest 5G network. 

From $35 at Cricket Wireless

If you only need data on your travels, Cricket's data-only plan offers a minimum of 20GB of high-speed data, as well as usage in Mexico and Canada. 

1. Mint Mobile

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNO carriers today and uses T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network, making it a great prepaid SIM card to get if you plan on staying in the U.S. for at least three months. As we found in our Mint Mobile review , Mint's 5G connection is strong, and its phone compatibility is one of the best in the country.

With Mint, you need to purchase at least three months of service upfront. After that, the best deals are offered when you sign up for six months or 12. For three months on the unlimited plan, you'll pay $90 and get unlimited talk, text, and data, 10GB of mobile hotspot, and free calls to Mexico and Canada. Calling to other international locations is available at a per-minute rate but if you use an app to call your friends such as WhatsApp or Line, you'll only need data.

Joining Mint Mobile is easy, and you can even sign up for a trial online to get a free Mint Mobile SIM card . It's especially easy if your phone is eligible for an eSIM since you can then activate the SIM straight from your phone and later continue your service if you like it. You can also get a Mint SIM card from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Amazon.

2. Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile is an MVNO on T-Mobile's network, meaning that you'll get great T-Mobile coverage at a lower price. Our Ultra Mobile review showed strong coverage and speeds. Though Ultra Mobile offers its own set of prepaid plans, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is a perfect fit for anyone visiting the U.S. for a month or less.

This is a more traditional SIM and after 30 days, the plan will expire, making it great for users who just wanted simple talk and text to a wide range of destinations and don't need a lot of data on their travels. For $19 with the SIM kit included, you'll get unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide, plus free Wi-Fi calling and up to 4GB of 5G/LTE data, meaning you should have no issue reaching friends and family back home.

3. Lycamobile

Lycamobile is unique because it's a global MVNO, and in the U.S., it's an MVNO on T-Mobile's network. To check whether your phone is compatible, the easiest thing to do is type in your IMEI number on Lycamobile's website, but most GSM unlocked devices should work.

Lycamobile offers several plans to pick from and really caters to those who need unlimited nationwide talk and text and international calling and texting to 85+ countries. Each plan includes these features at no additional charge, making this the perfect plan if you're someone who wants to be able to call abroad whenever you want.

When it comes to data, you have multiple options starting at just 250MB and going up to 60GB. The cheapest 250MB plan costs $15, while the top unlimited data plan costs $59. The 2GB plan is only available to new customers so if you're already signed up, this plan will come with 1GB of data. Each plan includes slightly different bonus features, so you'll have to pick what makes the most sense for you.

Fortunately, Lycamobile SIM cards are pretty easy to get a hold of. They're sold online on Lycamobile's website and Amazon, but you'll also find Lycamobile SIM cards in several retailers, including 7-Eleven, pharmacies, local convenience stores, etc. When in doubt, you can also use the online store locator to find the nearest retailer near you.

4. AT&T Prepaid

Known for its great coverage, AT&T is also an excellent carrier to consider getting a SIM card from when visiting the U.S. and one of the best prepaid phone plans . It tends to have better coverage in rural areas than other carriers, so it's also a great option if you plan to be on the road a lot. For $30 (plus taxes and fees), AT&T Prepaid will get you 5GB of high-speed data, which is then throttled to 128Kbps. As always, you should check your device's compatibility with AT&T online before signing up.

On this plan, you're able to use your mobile hotspot, and you can text to more than 230 countries. You'll also be able to talk, text, and use data in Mexico and Canada (though data speeds may be slow). And if you think you'll need more than 5GB of data, you can always upgrade to a 15GB prepaid plan for $40, which is a great deal and definitely worth considering.

5. T-Mobile Prepaid

T-Mobile not only offers some of the best cell phone plans you could get today, but it also has an excellent prepaid option that will suit most travelers and tourists needs when visiting the U.S. Because T-Mobile's network has improved vastly over the past few years and its 5G network has some of the most expansive coverage and fastest speeds in the nation, you'll likely get excellent service with T-Mobile when traveling to major cities during your stay.

There are four T-Mobile prepaid plans from which to choose, though the ideal plan for most visitors will be T-Mobile's 10GB prepaid plan for $40 per month. This plan includes unlimited domestic talk and text, up to 10GB of high-speed data, free mobile hotspot data, and a music unlimited feature so that any music you stream won't eat up your data. If you want to add international calling, you can do so for $15 extra, or if you're traveling to Mexico or Canada for a few days, you can add talk, text, and 5GB of data to use over there for an extra $5.

6. Cricket Wireless

If you don't think you'll need minutes during your stay in the U.S. and really just want data, you could consider a data-only plan from Cricket Wireless , which is an MVNO on AT&T's network. For $35, you'll get 20GB to use during the month, or for $55, you'll get 100GB.

Again, this plan doesn't come with any minutes, so you'll have to be sure you're fine using apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype to connect with family or friends. It does come with text and picture messages across the U.S., as well as usage in Mexico and Canada if you plan on visiting those countries as well. It's the perfect plan for anyone who will be spending lots of time on the road and wants to be able to stream, download, and do some high-speed browsing.

You can get a Cricket SIM card by going into a Cricket Wireless authorized retailer, which you can locate with Cricket's online store locator. Other popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart will also sell Universal SIM card activation kits for Cricket Wireless. The good news is that if you do end up wanting minutes, you can always switch to another one of Cricket's plans with the same SIM card.

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Which prepaid SIM card is best for you?

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

You really can't go wrong with a prepaid SIM card on T-Mobile or AT&T's network while visiting the U.S., and the right fit for you depends on the length of your stay and whether you need features like being able to call back home. If you're traveling for only three weeks or less, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is the best choice and offers just enough talk, text, and data to stay connected.

On the other hand, if you'll be in the U.S. for a few months, Mint Mobile will give you the best multiple-month value. And if you're somewhere in between, a prepaid plan from either T-Mobile or AT&T is easy, reliable, and guaranteed to give you great coverage.

Should you use your current carrier's add-ons?

Many carriers have partnerships with international carriers to offer greater service to their own customers. Luckily, this often goes both directions and means there may be a plan add-on that can give you plenty of data without needing to set up and activate a new SIM. While these travel add-ons can be quite pricey, the simplicity of this option will make it worth it to many people. It also gives you the chance to have a connection if you're waiting for a connecting flight in another country.

What about eSIM apps?

Another emerging option is eSIM apps. These apps can use your phone's built-in eSIM slot to quickly activate and pay for a phone plan without needing to remove your old SIM or worry about shipping a physical SIM in the first place. Airalo , for example, allows customers to buy as little as 1GB for a week. If you just need enough data to get around in a new city, this is a good option. It works with Google Pay, credit card, PayPay, and even Alipay.

If you have an iPhone, there's even an official T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app that accepts credit card payments from a number of countries. Regrettably, this app isn't available on Android though there are still other eSIM providers on the platform.

Just be sure to confirm compatibility before taking off. Still, there are other apps available on Android that offer solid deals on data without contacts or physical SIMs necessary.

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After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child. 

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Best eSIMs for travel of 2024

These eSIMs are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage

Best eSIM overall

• Best for customizable plans
• Best for easy installation
• Best value for money
• Best for security
• Best for network coverage
• Best for unlimited data
• Best for global plans
• Best for Europe
• Best for data-only plans
• eSIMs for international travel FAQs

1. Best eSIM overall 2. Best eSIM for customizable plans 3. Best eSIM for easy installation 4. Best eSIM for value for money 5. Best eSIM for security   6. Best eSIM for network coverage  7. Best eSIM for unlimited data 8. Best eSIM for global plans 9. Best eSIM for Europe   10. Best eSIM for data-only plans 11. eSIMs for international travel FAQs

eSIMs have gained a lot of traction in recent years, especially in international travel. Admit it, you do not like getting into huge queues to buy an eSIM just after you’ve landed at your dream location. You can now skip the queue with the best eSIM for international travel, with plans ranging from 3 days to as long as a year.

These eSIMs are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage. However, with so many providers offering eSIMs, which one should you purchase? I have done the hard yards to find and review the best eSIM you can get for international travel, regardless of whether you want to travel to Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa or Australia. So, make sure you read till the end to know everything you could ever need before purchasing your next eSIM.

What is an eSIM?  

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

eSIM cards are digital SIM cards already embedded in the mobile device, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. It is a small rewritable chip fixed inside your phone, which connects with an antenna to function as a SIM card. The antenna is nothing but a network selected by you. 

Since it is rewritable, you can change your operator with just a simple phone call. There’s no need to go through the hassle of purchasing a new SIM card and waiting for it to arrive in the mail. 

Actually, eSIMs have been around for quite some time now. You can find many devices that are compatible with eSIMs. But when iPhone decided to remove the good old SIM card slot and shift the device to being completely eSIM featured, this feature got its attention. The main reason eSIMs are being preferred is because of their ease of use and convenience. 

Another advantage of eSIM is that it saves space accommodated by the SIM card holder, leading to either smaller phones or larger batteries, both of which are interesting propositions. Not to mention, the enormous amount of plastic being used to make all these SIM cards will no longer be required. 

eSIMs could be pretty revolutionary as they can be used to enable 5G connectivity in almost anything we would want it to, preferably glasses or a fitness tracker, as it doesn’t take up as much space inside the device.  

While there’s no major difference between using an eSIM card and a physical SIM card, eSIMs could be a slight turnoff when you want to switch phones. That said, the benefits of eSIM certainly outweigh a few cons here and there.

Why should I get an eSIM for international travel?  

Now that we know what an eSIM is, let’s dive into why it’s so beneficial for international travel. The best thing about them is that you can store as many as eight (sometimes even more) on your phone and activate the SIM when needed without having to pay additional roaming charges. 

Of course, if your current network operator provides free roaming service, there's no need to consider a travel-specific or local SIM from the place you're traveling to. But if that's not the case, it can be quite a task to find the right operator and negotiate with language barriers.

eSIMs are also generally more secure than physical SIMs since there’s no need to remove them in case you want to change your SIM card, so they practically can’t get lost. And if your phone gets lost or stolen, tracking it through the eSIM card is much easier since it cannot be removed from the device. 

Note that international roaming works the same way on physical and eSIMS. The only difference that sets the two apart is that while you can add only two physical SIMs at a time, you can conveniently purchase an eSIM from a local carrier of the place you are visiting without losing your old numbers. This is especially handy when you are visiting multiple countries. 

With eSIMs, switching SIMs is as easy as purchasing a plan online and activating it after completing the payment. If you travel frequently for business or any other purpose, switching contact numbers could be quite a frequent task. With eSIMs, you can shuffle between SIM cards as soon as you enter the airport or right when you leave the country.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?  

Most phones manufactured after 2018 are compatible with eSIMs, except for a few exceptions depending on the location and carrier. IPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are among the first eSIM-compatible iPhones that came out in 2018. 

Follow these steps to see if your iOS is eSIM compatible and carrier unlocked:

• Go to Settings > General > About
• Scroll down to find the Carrier Lock section
• If your device is unlocked, it will show "No SIM restrictions" If that's not the case, you need to unlock your device first. 
• If you have an iOS 15 or later, Scroll down to "Available SIM" and if you have earlier iOS versions, find "Digital SIM"
• If your phone supports eSIMs, it will show a 15-digit IMEI number 

The following are the latest models that support eSIM: 

• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Mini
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 3 (2022)
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

You can also use eSIMs on the following iPads: 

• iPad Pro 11″ (model A2068 onwards)
• iPad Air (model A2123 onwards)
• iPad Pro 12.9″ (model A2069 onwards)
• iPad (model A2198 onwards)
• IPad 10th generación (2022)
• iPad Mini (model A2124 onwards)

For Android numbers, it is best to check with the manufacturer if your device is compatible with eSIM. This, too, depends on the model, place of manufacturing, and the carrier used for the Android device.  

Another way to check is by going to the settings > Network & Internet and tapping on the "eSIM cards". If you find a "Download a SIM instead?" option, your device is eSIM-compatible 

You can also check if your phone has an EID (Embedded Identity Document Number), which is the serial number that matches with the eSIM embedded in your device. 

• Dial *#06# and press call
• If your device is eSIM-compatible, you'll be able to view your EID number

Some popular Android phones that support eSIMs include: 

• Samsung Galaxy S21 models
• Samsung Galaxy S22 models
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20
• Samsung Galaxy Fold Series
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Series
• Samsung Galaxy S23 models
• Google Pixel 7
• Google Pixel 6
• Google Pixel 4
• Google Pixel Fold
• Google Pixel 3 XL
• Huawei P40 Series
• Oppo Reno 5A
• Oppo Find X5
• Sony Xperia 1 V
• Xiaomi 13 Series
• Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
• Motorola Edge+
• Motorola Razr 2019

Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list — it’s only an indicative list of popular smartphones that support eSIMs. In case you do not find your phone year, check with your manufacturer. 

Reader Offer: 5% off for Techradar readers Techradar editors love AloSIM's prepaid data SIM for its transparency, auto-installation feature, and affordable price.  Techradar readers can save 5% off  with code TECHRADAR5. 

Preferred partner ( What does this mean? ) 

Top 10 eSIM providers for international travel 

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Airhub is a huge online store from which you can buy eSIMs in over 190+ countries worldwide. It has a massive variety of eSIM plans that include data, local call minutes, SMS, and international call minutes. 

While most eSIM providers usually have around 3-5 plans per country, Airhub provides up to 15 plans to choose from for a single country which gives you the flexibility to select the plan that resonates best with your needs. Also, Airhub has truly managed to make some of the best partnerships with local companies to offer the cost-effective deal that it does. 

If you're going to hang in a country for multiple months, you can simply go for the monthly subscriptions. Some of these plans also include unlimited voice minutes and SMS - you truly get the best deal here. 

The majority of plans that you will find on the website are prepaid, with a few postpaid plans and a postpaid monthly subscription in a few countries, the most important one being the United States. However, it doesn't have strong coverage in Latin America. For example, I found them offering only a single plan in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Moreover, there are no plans for countries like Cuba, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador. 

The regional plans offer an attractive price proposition as well, with options available in APAC, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Europe. We highly recommend the Europe plan if you're about to go on a Europe tour. Airhub covers up to 49 countries in the plans, with the plans starting at just $11 for a month with a 3GB data limit. We could also spot a few 1-year plans in Europe ranging from 10GB to 100GB for the year.  

When you open the Airhub app, there's not a lot going on like most other eSIM apps — the interface is clean and intuitive. After logging in, you will find a page that lets you select the country, with three tabs differentiating local eSIMs, regional eSIMs, and Monthly plans (note that the global package is included in the regional eSIM category). 

Concluding, Airhub stands out with its great plans, minimalist apps, and websites and ticks all the boxes of travelers and remote workers looking for an affordable and effective eSIM. 

Best eSIM for customizable plans

Airalo is easily one of the best eSIM providers for travelers looking for an affordable and reliable SIM card, which plans in more than 200 countries. The stand-out thing about Airalo is its great collaborations with local telco companies all over the world which makes it the cost leader that it is today. 

Keep in mind that this also means the cost of Airalo depends on the place you're traveling to, and the cost of data there — validity and data limit being the other two factors that affect its price.

It also offers 7 regional plans, including Latin America and Caribbean Islands — regions that aren’t well catered by other eSIM providers.

It also has a specific global plan that provides access to around 84 countries worldwide — perfect for international travelers. You can choose between 1GB to 20GB of data spread across 7 days to 180 days validity. 

To buy the eSIM, you simply have to go to the app, create an account, choose the place you are traveling to, the package of your choice, and then install the eSIM. After that, you’ll need to follow a simple eSIM activation procedure, and that’s it. The payment can be made through a credit card or Apple Pay. 

One major thing to look out for getting an Airalo eSIM is that most of them don't offer voice minutes — there's only a data plan. So if you're someone who makes a lot of voice calls throughout the day, you might want to look out for an alternative here. That said, you can always communicate via Internet calls when needed. 

Airalo has a loyalty feature where you get credit every time you purchase data from the service provider. Initially, you get a 5% Airalo credit for every purchase, which keeps increasing as you collect more and more credit. So, initially, if you spend $20 on a package, you get a $1 credit that you can use for future purchases. 

Best eSIM for easy installation

AloSIM is a Canada-based tech company that offers great prepaid data SIMs at affordable prices. One innovative feature of the app is its AloSIM data calculator that helps you find the estimated data that you will require depending on the things you use your internet for on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Once you have decided on the amount of data you need, you can head over to the eSIM area and select a plan to your liking.

The reason why this is so great is because it bears testimony to the brand's transparency and genuineness. Being able to calculate your daily requirements won't let you overspend on something you don't need. 

Another thing I love about AloSIM is that you get to see which partnering networks you're gonna be connected with before you purchase any package so that you can assure that you are connected to a reliable network. You can also check the speed availability in the region (3G, 4G, 5G, or LTE). This is something most eSIM providers do not offer.

Installing the eSIM is also easy with AloSIM. There are three ways in which you can do that:

1. Automatic installation — if you want to start using your plan straight away, you should go with this option. 

2. Scanning QR code — this option is available in almost all eSIM providers — you just have to scan the QR code to activate your network. 

3. Manual installation — You will have to go through a step-by-step instruction manual to adjust your settings and activate your eSIM. 

The prices at AloSIM are among the most reasonable I’ve seen. You can get the 5 GB for 30 days plan for as low as $16 in the US. That's a lot of difference compared to the plan your home SIM can provide you. Plus, data sharing is supported, so you can use your personal hotspot to connect to other devices or let a friend free ride with you. AloSIM also offers as many as 11 regional plans — one of the highest on our list. 

However, I couldn’t spot a regional plan for Africa or an extensive Asian plan. The Asian regional plan covers just five countries in Southeast Asia. Thus, it isn’t a great option if you’re traveling East.

Just like every data-only eSIM, you will not get a phone number with AloSIM. Also, there's no unlimited plan for you to rely on if you're a data junkie. Overall, AloSIM stands out with its transparency, auto-installation feature, and affordable price. 

Best eSIM for value for money

Nomad eSIM is a great option if you’re on short trips and need a travel eSIM that doesn't cost you a fortune. It is well-known for its short-duration plans of 7 and 15 days. Its offerings are divided into regional plans and individual country plans. 

You can also purchase an unlimited data plan in selected individual countries, such as the UK, something that isn’t available with regional plans. With Nomad, you can purchase one GB of data for as low as $1.30 (in Asia and the Americas).

It has an incredible value proposition in North America, Asia, and Europe. However, when it comes to Latin America, you can definitely find cheaper options. For example, 1GB of data with a 7-day validity costs $9 on Nomad. However, the same plan is available at $6.5 on Airalo, with both of them covering the same three counties —Canada, USA, and Mexico,

What we love about this provider is that it doesn't charge you any one-time connection fee or even a fee for the SIM card itself. There's no hidden cost, and you don't have to worry about enormous roaming costs as well. Just pay for the upfront amount of the package, and you’re good to go.

There are eight regional plans - APAC, Nordic, Europe, SEA - Oceania, Global, North America, Africa, and Middle East. Regional plans allow you to buy the plan once and use it in a specific group of countries - no need to buy a new eSIM for every country you travel to. For example, if you’re visiting France, Germany, and Italy, simply get the Europe regional plan. You’ll not need to buy a separate eSIM in each country.

The global plan is decent, with an option to purchase a global e-Sim for either 110 countries or 140 countries. The 110-country plan starts at $25/GB (validity of 7 days), while the 140-country plan starts at $19/GB for the same validity period.

Recently, Nomad added an SMS plan available in selected countries like Canada, the United States, and the UK. I found the plan to be pretty reasonable, too, starting at 100 texts for $4. 

What's more, Nomad has one of the most user-friendly apps. You can easily find all the plans, and the interface is very clean. You can also track your data usage on the go and add more data if you seem to be outrunning your current limit. 

If you're not an expert at understanding chunky instructions, you'll love its setup process that takes you through the app step by step and even includes pictures to clearly illustrate what you need to do. 

If there's still something you need help understanding, there's built-in 24/7 message support, and the response time is quick and reliable. It doesn't have a live chat feature like most of the peers.

Concluding, Nomad is a solid option for frequent travelers with its short-term packages at affordable prices and easy-to-set-up interface. With the commendable user-friendliness of this provider’s app and reliable customer support, it’s one of the best travel eSIMs. 

Best eSIM for security

5. Instabridge

Instabridge has been around for a while, and its eSIM services are truly one to consider if you are looking for a safe and seamless internet connection. This is especially recommended if you're going to stay in one place for a long time — you can find plans that last up to a year.

It is the #1 app on iPhone for global internet access, and with access to more than 190 countries and over 200 million app downloads, you can guess that it's a hot pick among travelers.  However, you do not get any call minutes or SMS facility with Instabridge’s eSIM. Thus, you’ve to rely on Internet-based voice calls and texts — certainly not a deal-breaker.

If you are tight on budget but want to purchase a plan, you can score mobile data packages by watching ads on the app. The collection won't be too grand, of course, but it'll get you a decent data pack if you spend your free time on the app. 

The app in itself is pretty modern and intuitive. You can simply select the country you’re traveling to and choose the amount of data you need. Next, select the duration — one-time, monthly, or yearly. You’re done — simply make the payment and enjoy your internet.

Note that the website on the desktop version doesn't show all the local plans, so it's important to check the plans on the app if you don't find a suitable plan for you. You can pick between subscriptions and one-off plans depending on your needs. The website typically doesn’t show data plans for more than 30 days.

Customer support isn't always the fastest — it can take a few hours to get a reply if you're stuck in the middle of something. But you can look out for the FAQs and manuals to help you out, and the app is easy to use, too. So there are chances that you might not even need customer support.  

You can purchase multiple plans with the same eSIM, so there's no need to collect a hefty number of eSIMs if you're traveling to multiple places. For example, if you're going to visit USA, Germany, and France over the holidays, you can just purchase a plan for each of these places and track the data usage of each of these packages through the app. 

Instabridge has a strong commitment to bringing the internet to everyone. For the same, it has decided to give away 1GB of data to someone in a developing nation for every 1 GB of data you purchase.

Concluding, Instabridge is a solid provider of data-only plans, a must-have for users who value security over anything.

Best eSIM for network coverage

BNESIM offers mobile data contracts in over 170 countries —greater than most providers in our list, like Nomad. You can rest assured that no matter which country you are traveling to, you will definitely find a plan or more with BNESIM. 

Where this provider wins against the competition is its “pay-as-you-go” plans. These are plans with no expiration date. For example, if you purchase the 1GB USA data plan for $6.73, you can use the plan as long as you do not exhaust the entire data without any time restriction. This is particularly helpful for users that use minimal data and end up wasting their data by the end of the plan. 

What I like about BNESIM is its diverse regional plans. It currently offers Regional plans in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Middle East, and Africa. Apart from this, there are two unlimited data regional plans - something other providers don’t offer. 

1. BNESIM Infinity Europe

2. BNESIM Infinity Asia

For example, the Infinity Aisa plan covers 28 countries with options to purchase one-time, daily, and monthly plans. I found the “Daily Plan’ really useful in the modern data usage context. It offers a certain data limit for each day of the plan. For example, the 1GB daily data Asia plan costs just $8.85 — a steal, in my opinion.

I also found an extensive “Support” section on its website with guides on installing eSIMs on various devices, such as iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. Each of these guides includes pictures that make your job easier. Just like Airalo, BNESIM also partners with local networks to provide reliable bandwidth, which makes the network stronger in some areas.

However, if you’re looking for a longer-duration plan, BNESIM doesn’t get the job done. With a maximum validity of 30 days, their plans primarily focus on short-duration plans. Another weird thing about BNESIM is its “auto-renewal” feature — your plan will be auto-renewed at the end of the term. You’ll have to cancel the plan manually on its website or app.

All in all, BNESIM is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a flexible and cost-effective global roaming solution for frequent travel. 

Best eSIM for unlimited data

Holafly eSIM cards are among the few options offering unlimited data plans — you can send as many videos and photos with your family without worrying about the data limit. In the few countries that it doesn't give unlimited data, it offers higher data limits than most other providers. 

In terms of duration, too, there's great flexibility. You can get plans that last 5, 10, 15, 20, 60, and 90 days. In short, there will always be a plan close to the number of days you're traveling for in about 160 countries that Holafly caters to.

On the price front, Holafly is a little high-end, but it's worth the unlimited data and stress-free traveling it offers. For example, its 5-day unlimited data plan for the USA costs $19. It also offers regional plans. However, I found it tough to locate these plans on its website, as there’s no dedicated “Regional Plans” section as in some other websites like Nomad and Airhub.

Brands like Airalo are significantly cheaper than Holafly, but you will have to get top-up plans if you exhaust your data mid-journey, which can be troublesome if you travel alone and don't have anyone to provide you hotspot in the meanwhile. 

Installing the eSIM is also a breeze with Holafly. Simply scan the QR code you receive after purchasing a plan and follow the prompts. You will be guided through each step of the process, and the payment can be made through various portals like a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. You can also use a code for manual installation if you don't want to scan the QR code. 

Holafly‘s customer support is one of the best in the market. You can expect a reply from them within less than a minute of entering your query. With language support in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, you can easily access the 24/7 support via WhatsApp or chat. On top of that, there's a frequently asked questions section that will solve most of your queries regarding the installation of the eSIM. 

However, if you plan to buy a single Holafly eSIM for your family, thinking that the unlimited data plan will do the trick, beware. Holafly eSIM doesn't allow data sharing with other devices as of now. 

While Holafly has great data plans, it doesn't include calls with all plans or SMS service. Currently, you can make calls up to 60 minutes and receive calls for up to 60 minutes in Europe, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. However, I didn’t find this off-putting due to the sheer non-functionality of SMS and calls these days. You can always make calls or send texts through Holafly’s unlimited Internet (WhatsApp, Skype, or other apps).   Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.

Best eSIM for global plans

8. GlobaleSIM

GlobaleSIM provides global and local data plans for travelers and tourists in more than 150 countries, and you get extendable coverage with over 400 network carriers. It was among the first providers of eSIM when it first launched in 2016.

There are four broad plans that GlobaleSIM offers:

1. Most Popular Plan - available in 63 countries

2. Most Popular+ Plan - available in 93 countries

3. Special Plan - available in 115 countries

4. Special + Plan - available in 143 countries

For example, its “Most Popular Plan” starts at $3.00 for 500MB of data for 5 days. You also get the option of adding call minutes to your plan and selecting either a US, a UK, or a Canadian number. As there are several countries being covered under a single plan, you obviously cannot expect to get a local number to the place you're visiting, and since there's no roaming charge, a US, UK, or Canadian number isn't that bad, too, after all.

Many eSIM providers ask you to create an account before purchasing, but this one doesn't. You just have to fill out the required information, like your name, surname, and email address, and you're done. You can complete your payment via either PayPal or a credit card.  

However, I couldn’t find many single-country plans on GlobaleSIM. Even for a popular destination like the US, you’ll have to get a bundled plan which includes both the US and Canada. Moreover, despite being in the market for so long, it's a little disappointing that the provider doesn't have an application of its own, so you'll have to purchase the eSIM directly from the website. 

Unlike most other providers in the market, GlobaleSIM doesn't have chat support, the only way that you can connect to them is through emails, and the response time isn't as fast as chat support either. 

At first, you won't even find customer service or a way to get in touch with them on the front page of the website or while skimming through plans. You will have to go all the way down the page to find it. Simply put, the customer support is disappointing. 

All in all, GlobaleSIM is a great eSIM to consider if you're looking for a global plan that's easy to set up and purchase.  

Best eSIM for Europe

9. Holiday eSIM

Holiday eSIM is the best-prepaid service provider if you're traveling to Europe, with robust connections in every European country for high-speed data.  

What I like the most about this provider is that, unlike others, you get a French number with the eSIM. Its most popular plan includes unlimited calls and texts in Europe, 120 minutes of worldwide calling, and 1,000 texts. That's more than enough proposition for whatever your needs are. But of course, if all you are looking for is a data eSIM, you can also purchase the data-only packages it offers. 

The Orange holiday app is user-friendly and doesn't require any registration prior to installing the eSIM. All you have to do is install the eSIM, and the provider will automatically connect to the strongest local European mobile network provider in that area.  

Costing around $44.10 for 10GB of data with a validity of 14 days, you might argue that this isn't a cheap option. However, if you're looking to have amazing internet no matter which European street you are wandering on, this is worth the penny it costs.

Besides the European plan, there's also a competent data-only global plan with 6GB of data with a 15-day validity. What’s more — you can share your data as a hotspot, so if you want to work on your laptop while away, it won't be a problem. 

However, it doesn’t offer a lot of plan options. Thus, you do not have much flexibility, either in terms of the validity period or data limits. Moreover, I did not like the website interface as much as some other providers on our list. Finding your destination country is difficult — you’ll have to choose from a long list of options. Even when you do, you’ll find “Regional” and “Global” plans in every country. This essentially means that Holiday eSIM does not offer as many individual country plans. 

In conclusion, if you value your network connection more than your product's budget-friendliness, you should consider this for your European trip. While we're not trying to take away that this provider's plans will cost you more than the local plan you can buy from a local provider, there are also a few cheaper options that might work for you if your internet usage isn't a lot. 

Best eSIM for data-only plans

10. Flexiroam

eSIMs are an important part of Flexiroam's wide line of products, and it's one of the best data-only eSIM lines out there. You get access to more than 500 mobile networks worldwide through its partnership with Jersey Telecom, with multiple networks in a single place, meaning you are never limited to just one network with this one. 

When traveling, the eSIM automatically connects itself to the strongest network connection in that area for reliable and strong coverage no matter where you go.  If you still don't feel content with the connected network, you can manually switch to the provider of your choice and use it if you find that more comfortable. 

Most providers like Airalo and BNESIM work with one single provider in one area, and it’s possible that the local provider might not be the best for the area you're visiting. This is never the issue with Flexiroam.

There are more than 700 eSIM plans to choose from. However, these plans aren’t as neatly categorized as some other providers. You’ll have to select from a long drop-down list when looking for individual country plans. Its regional plans are a mixed bag of chocolates. While there are two unique regional plans - Greater Europe and Greater China, I couldn’t find a regional plan for Asia that is offered by almost every other competitor. If you’re on an Asian trip, you’ll want to look at some other eSIMs on our list.

Having said that, Flexiroam is among the few providers that include plans for less than 7 days, and unlike Holafly, it allows data sharing through both tethering and Hotspot. So if you're traveling in a group, you can just buy a single pack and share it with your entire group.

Being a data-only eSIM, you don't get a phone number to call in case there's a network coverage issue and your internet stops working. This can usually be a problem if you're traveling to remote places.

Concluding, Flexiroam is definitely worth your bucks if you are looking for a data-only eSIM for its affordability and wider network coverage.  

Best eSIMs for international travel FAQs

How to choose the best esim for international travel .

While all the providers have something or the other to offer,  it's important to know the factors that make an eSIM the best among them. 

1. The place that you are traveling to 

It's important to check the network coverage of an eSIM in the place you're visiting. eSIM providers often offer amazing coverage in particular countries but mediocre performance in others. This is because eSIMs collaborate or partner with local service providers in different countries to enhance network coverage. So make sure that you check the service of the local provider that's accessible to you and select the eSIM provider that has coverage to the place you're traveling to. 

Depending on the number of places you are going to visit, you can select local, regional, and global eSIMs. Here's how they differ:

• Local eSIM — you should go for this eSIM if you're traveling to just one country. For example, if you're traveling to Paris, you can get a local France eSIM. 
• Regional eSIM — This is a perfect option if you're going to travel to a couple of countries within the same region. Let’s say you're planning a Europe trip; in that case, instead of buying a local SIM for each country, it’s a lot more convenient to get a regional eSIM that will work on all the countries in Europe you're visiting. 
• Global eSIM — global eSIM allows you to connect several countries all over the world, which is perfect if you're going to travel worldwide or counties that are in different regions.  

2. How much data will you need?

If your data requirements are ambitious, you should preferably look for a cheap eSIM or one that provides unlimited data. On the other hand, if your data needs aren't too demanding, but you need internet in remote places, you might have to shell out a bit more for quality internet. To get an idea of how much data different apps use up, have a look at this: 

• Google Maps: 5MB per hour
• Social Media: 50MB per hour
• Internet Browsing: 50MB per hour
• Online Gaming: 70+MB per hour
• Streaming Music: 100MB per hour
• SD Video: 1GB per hour
• HD Video: 4GB per hour
• 4K Video: 7GB per hour

3. How long will you be abroad?

All eSIM providers have different validity options — you can choose between 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 days plans, and so on. Find a plan with a validity period that outlines how long you're going to be using the eSIM. 

Some eSIM providers provide plans shorter than 7 days; look out for them if you're going to be away for the weekend. On the other hand, if your data usage is moderate, but you are traveling for longer periods, an unlimited plan might be the best for you. 

How do eSIM work?  

An eSIM card or embedded SIM card is a chip in your phone that lets you connect to a network by simply downloading an eSIM profile and activating it without having to swap the SIM card physically. 

eSIMs function similarly to physical cards — the only difference is that the card, instead of being inserted into the devices, can now be downloaded through an app and activated by scanning a QR code or following the steps provided in the manual. 

It is very easy to install an eSIM into the devices that are compatible with it. You can use multiple operators simultaneously and add several data plans according to your needs, as there's no physical space required to limit the number. 

You just have to change the profile to switch between one eSIM to another. This way, you can find the network in another eSIM if one SIM doesn't have a network. You can even have one SIM each for business and personal purposes.  

Since eSIMs can be updated electronically, providers in the US and UK are using eSIMs for the Internet of Things, adding a mobile network to almost anything that could use one, like cars and traffic lights.

While all the latest Apple devices are eSIM-compatible, most Android devices are also catching up. For example, the new Motorola Razr doesn't have a physical SIM card slot and only supports eSIM. Google Pixel phones and other Android devices, including laptops and tablets, have started providing eSIMs too. 

If you have already set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps to activate your SIM:

• On turning on your phone, you will find a notification appearing that says "Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed", tap on it.
• If it doesn't pop up right away, In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
• You will find a "Continue" at the bottom of the screen. After that, the plan must have been activated. 
• Make a call on your iPhone to check its cellular connectivity. 
• If you're unable to make the call, contact your carrier. If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM, your eSIM has been activated. Now remove your physical SIM. Then restart your iPhone.

After this, your eSIM will actively run on your phone, and you can use it along with your physical SIM cards too. This will especially be appreciated by those who don't like to give away their phone numbers when traveling abroad. 

Can I use more than one eSIM provider when traveling abroad? 

Yes, you can use more than one eSIM, depending on whether you use Android or iOS. When traveling, you’d want to use at least two SIMs simultaneously so that you don't lose touch with the older SIM contact when using the new local SIM. 

iPhones can store up to 5-10 eSIMs on the device, depending on the exact model. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Mini allow you to use two eSIMs simultaneously. On the flip side, you can use only one eSIM with iPhone 12 models, iPhone 11 models, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Similarly, Androids can also store 5-7 eSIMs on the device. However, you can only activate and use one eSIM at a time. 

This makes your work a lot easier. Suppose you’re traveling to Asia and Europe within a short span of time; you can purchase two eSIMs on your device. Simply activate the eSIM once you transition from one destination to another. This is more convenient compared to traditional SIMs, where you would have had to physically purchase a SIM at every destination you visit.

Traditional phones generally feature a maximum of 2 SIM cards in devices with dual SIM slots. In devices like iPhones that usually don't have a dual SIM feature, you will have to get a student device if you wish to use more than one SIM at once. 

How to set up and activate an eSIM on iOS

Devices like iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later support eSIM. And recently, it completely ditched the physical SIM card slot in all the US models of iPhone 14. While other countries still have the SIM card slot, Apple has made it clear that it will soon completely get rid of the physical SIM card.  

Note that Apple’s eSIM feature is not yet available in mainland China and a few parts of Hong Kong and Macao. These countries are still fully dependent on physical SIMs.  

Setting up and activating an eSIM is super easy if you follow the instructions below:

• On your iOS device, follow Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If this doesn't work, try Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
• Click on the “Transfer from Nearby iPhone” option. At this point, remember that both iPhones have to be on iOS 16 for this to work.
• You will find instructions on the old model to help you through the process. Either tap the transfer button or enter the verification code on the older phone, which will be sent to the new iPhone. 
• Once you transfer the eSIM to the newer iPhone, it is deactivated from your old device, and your carrier will send you a notification to complete the setup on your new iPhone.

QR code support:

• If your carrier has issued you a QR code, you can simply select “Use QR Code” while setting up the new iPhone.
• You can find the “Use QR Code” option under Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM. 

Are eSIM better than physical SIM cards?  

eSIM card is a recently developed digital version of a physical SIM card that solves most problems faced while using a physical SIM card. While the functionality of both the SIMs has no difference, eSIM has an almost negligible chance of getting damaged, and since they cannot be physically detached from the device, it is impossible to lose them. 

If your device gets stolen, the thief will first throw out your SIM card because the device can be easily tracked through its SIM card. With eSIMs, this option just isn't there, so you can easily locate your device if it's ever stolen or lost. 

Also, eSIM frees up the space that a SIM card blocks. This space can be used to better optimize the device and leave less room for dust to enter. It also makes it better for devices like smartwatches to have an eSIM. 

On the other hand, eSIMs aren't as widely recognized yet, and physical SIM cards are supported on all devices. If your device doesn't support it, you'll have to get another one to switch to eSIMs.  

Plus, if you want to change your device, it is a lot more convenient to just place your SIM card in a different device, and just the day started. The same thing goes for a situation when you want to transfer contacts that are saved in your SIM card. 

eSIMs store data on the cloud. You can simply download it when needed. This way, your data remains safe and doesn't use up any storage on your device. 

Finally, both eSIMs and physical SIM cards have benefits of their own, and the better option definitely depends on personal preference, but objectively, eSIM is definitely the better option.  

Final verdict 

eSIMs have, undoubtedly, made traveling much easier. With affordable plans, excellent connections, and various validity options to choose from, eSIMs are the future of telecommunication. 

The only question is — which eSIM should you purchase? If you do not require voice call minutes (which I believe most wouldn’t), Airalo is your best bet. It has a lot of plan options to choose from, with validities as long as 180 days. It offers affordable local plans in as many as 200 countries, besides 7 regional plans and a value-for-money global plan. And since it partners with local network providers, you can rest assured of seamless connectivity as well. 

If you do want to make voice calls and send text messages, Airhub should be your go-to option. It offers plans in more than 190 countries, with more than 15 plans to select from in most countries. Like Airalo, it is also a value-for-money proposition and wouldn’t cost you a fortune. 

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Krishi covers buying guides and how-to's related to software, online tools, and tech products here at TechRadar. Over at Tom's Guide, he writes exclusively on VPN services. You can also find his work on Techopedia and The Tech Report. As a tech fanatic, Krishi also loves writing about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity, AI, and software.

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Dream More, Travel Later

Travelling and wandering the world is quite the adventure, but sharing memories and staying in touch with those who matter shouldn’t come at a cost. Our prepaid International travel SIM cards make sure your globetrotting doesn’t come with hefty roaming fees and that you stay connected with ease.

Why Travellers Love Us

Who needs the stress of static? We make sure you stay connected with prepaid International SIM cards on offer for most popular travel destinations.

Convenience

No roaming fees, hidden fees, or extra costs! We’ve partnered with some of the largest telecommunications service providers across the globe to ensure that our travellers get the best deal possible.

Customer Service

Need help? Travel suggestions? Trouble finding the right plan? Our customer service team go the extra mile to offer you the support you need no matter where you are.

About SimCorner

Travelling to Europe , Africa , Asia , the United Kingdom , South America , NZ , Fiji or Middle East ? No matter where you’re going in the world, SimCorner is the one you can rely on for a cheap travel SIM and eSIMs that keeps you connected to your loved ones, and allows you to document every moment of your trip in real time. 

Prepare for any adventure with an international travel SIM card that can be conveniently and quickly delivered right to your door in the US. With a SimCorner prepaid travel SIM, you’ll be ready to begin your journey as soon as you land without having to worry about searching for a SIM card to use your phone. 

What Sets Us Apart

When you choose SimCorner, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you’ll never miss an important message, get stranded, or need to borrow a stranger’s phone in an emergency. We provide travellers with cheap international SIM cards, reliable coverage, convenient delivery, and exceptional customer service. Experience the difference of a SimCorner travel SIM on your next trip abroad.

SimCorner is proud to offer the most competitive prices on international travel SIM cards in America. If you happen to find a better deal anywhere else, we’ll beat it by 10%, according to our Price Beat Guarantee . 

Get in touch

If you need any assistance finding a SIM card for overseas travel, reach out to our friendly team who will be happy to help. 

What is a prepaid SIM card?

Prepaid SIM cards are an excellent option for staying connected with family and loved ones while traveling. They offer the convenience of not worrying about expensive roaming charges, and you can often find deals that include data and minutes for phone calls at a fraction of the cost of using your regular cell phone plan!

Instead of relying solely on an uninterrupted Wifi connection to access your device’s internet, you can count on your prepaid SIM to have your data covered throughout all your travels.

The benefits of an International Travel SIM card

While communication apps like Whatsapp or Viber are handy to keep in touch with loved ones back home when you have a Wifi connection, they’re not a consistently reliable communication source when traveling about on your daily adventures. After all, WiFi isn’t always readily available, particularly when you’re sightseeing or visiting remote locations.

To ensure your safety in a foreign country, a prepaid Travel SIM is your best bet to stay connected with people back home. You can also confirm reservations with your accommodation and have constant access to all your contacts in the case of any emergency.

If you’re traveling overseas, a travel SIM card for your relevant destination will be a far cheaper option than accessing your phone’s global roaming. You’ll have a certain amount of features included, so no hidden fees or roaming charges.

Investing in a travel SIM card allows you to post your exciting travel photos on social media and send regular updates to family and friends without thinking twice! To avoid the high cost of using your domestic phone plan internationally, reap the benefits that an international travel SIM card has to offer.

What’s involved in getting a prepaid Travel SIM for your travel destination?

To buy a travel SIM card in the US for your travel destination, you simply need to go to SimCorner and choose a SIM option from a range of sim cards with reasonable data allowances for a price that suits your budget. Shopping for a SIM is now easier than ever. Opting for a SIM from SimCorner is guaranteed to make shopping for your travel SIM card a far smoother experience.

To avoid the hassle of sourcing a SIM once you arrive at your overseas destination, we highly recommend exploring SimCorner’s one-stop shop for prepaid SIM cards in the US that cover countries across the globe to suit your travel needs.

Travel SIM cards for every destination

Discover our range of travel SIM card options for countries all across the globe. Whether you’re traveling to the beautiful beaches of Europe or Brazil or looking to explore the busy streets of London, buying our prepaid SIM cards has never been easier.

SimCorner — your one-stop shop for travel accessories

Traveling and wandering the world is quite an adventure — for most of us, it doesn’t come soon enough. At SimCorner, we prioritize our customers above all else. After all, sharing memories and staying in touch with those who matter shouldn’t come at a cost. That’s why our prepaid international travel SIM cards ensure that your globetrotting adventures don’t come with hefty roaming fees. You can easily stay connected, book activities, and accommodation to watch a TV show during long travel commutes by train or plane.

To kickstart your adventures, explore our travel blog for some helpful tips on sights to see and travel hacks to save you some money! Stay prepared for your trip with our selection of accessories and avoid the horrible realization that you have an incompatible charging adapter. From portable power banks to adapters and journals to document your travels, we’ve got you covered. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team, who will be more than happy to help.

Why do you need a travel SIM card?

A travel SIM card is a great option for staying connected while traveling. They offer the convenience of not having to worry about roaming charges, and you can often find deals that include data and minutes for phone calls at a fraction of the cost of using your regular cell phone plan.

By opting for a prepaid SIM card in the US from SimCorner, you’ll have no last-minute surprises and can guarantee an easy setup with its simple functionality. You can count on your prepaid SIM to have you covered with data throughout all your travels. That way, you can post all your travel photos on the go, keep in touch with loved ones back home and rest assured that you have access to your phone.

Which international travel SIM card is best?

While there are various international travel SIM cards on the market, none offer the generous inclusions of feature like the travel SIM card you can find at SimCorner. With no extra costs, roaming, or hidden fees, we’ve partnered with the world’s largest telecommunication services worldwide to ensure our travelers can enjoy the best possible deal wherever their adventures take them. If you’re unsure of which SIM to choose, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team, who will be happy to advise you on the right plan.

What makes SimCorner prepaid SIM cards easy to use?

If it’s a prepaid SIM card you’re after for your overseas travels, SimCorner could not be any easier — it is almost effortless to set up. Follow the steps below to install your SIM card and enjoy the ability to book activities and accommodation, and browse social media anywhere in the world:

• Order your SIM — Order your travel SIM card online and select the delivery method that best suits your travel date. SimCorner delivers to many countries worldwide, dispatching our competitive prepaid SIM cards from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
• Unlock your device — Once your international travel SIM card has arrived, ensure your device is unlocked before you board your flight. Being on a post-paid plan or contract with your local carrier doesn't mean your phone is locked. If you’re unsure, we recommend you check with your current service provider. So long as your device is unlocked, it will be compatible with our prepaid SIM cards unless stated otherwise.
• Connect your SIM — Insert your SIM card into your phone as soon as you land and stay connected immediately!

How about shipping & delivery for prepaid SIM cards?

If you and your family or friends require international travel SIM cards, you’ve come to the right place. You can buy prepaid SIM cards and have them delivered to your home anywhere in the USA. If your trip is right around the corner, there’s no need to fret. Our prepaid SIMS are dispatched for your convenience on the same or following business day.

All our USA orders are shipped directly from California, Arizona, Georgia or Illinois and delivered within 6-9 business days. Have an urgent order? We offer express delivery for an additional cost.

If you’re anxious about the wait time and want to know the status of your order, simply select a shipping option with tracking included, and you will receive a shipment confirmation with the tracking order via email. That way, you can keep track of your order status leading up to your trip.

How do I inquire about a prepaid SIM?

If you have any queries on which prepaid travel SIM card is the right fit for you, contact our team of experts, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Once you’ve selected your prepaid SIM, SimCorner takes it one step further with our handy travel blog that provides exciting travel tips on sights to see and travel hacks to save you some money! So what are you waiting for? Buying a prepaid SIM card could not be easier than SimCorner.

Can I use an eSIM for international travel?

Yes, eSIMs are excellent for international travel, as you can easily switch to a local carrier's plan without needing a physical SIM card.

Discover the benefits of using an eSIM for travel, whether you're heading to the USA, Europe, Japan, Asia etc. Our USA eSIM ensures you stay connected while exploring the States, while the Europe eSIM offers across multiple European countries. Traveling to Japan? Discover the convenience of a Japan eSIM . And if you're exploring Asia, our eSIM Asia covers you across the region. Say hello to easy, borderless connectivity with eSIM for travel. Stay connected, stay hassle-free.

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The Benefits of Using Europe eSIMs for European Travel

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eSIM Technology: Changing the Way We Stay Connected

Discover eSIM-Compatible Phones: Is Your Device Ready?

Frequently asked questions.

Let’s face it — life’s pretty hard in the modern world without a smartphone. If you’re travelling overseas to a country where you don’t speak the language, planning an adventure a little off the beaten track, or just want to check the weather during your first night in a new town, you’re going to need a working phone. While your regular phone might be OK on the hotel Wi-Fi, only travel SIM cards can allow you to use phone data, send messages and make calls without racking up hefty roaming charges from your at-home mobile service provider.

The best prepaid SIM card depends on your destination. SimCorner offers international travel SIM cards for various regions, including Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, UK, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. If your specific destination is not listed, you can still enquire with SimCorner to find the best option for staying connected

All of the international travel SIM cards from SimCorner are designed especially for travellers, pre-loaded with set features and without any hidden fees or expensive roaming data charges. Once you’ve bought your prepaid SIM, you’ll never be charged for anything extra when you start using it.

Our prepaid SIMS come with plenty of data, so you can make internet calls back home, and video loved ones from the top of a mountain or a sunny beach. Prepaid data allows you to easily check directions when you’re out and about and share images of your trip in real-time.

Plus, our travel SIM cards come with thousands of minutes of inter-SIM calls, meaning if you and a family member or friend both purchase one, it’s free to contact each other during your trip. How easy is that?

All of our prepaid SIMs have a 15-day or 30-day service period from the date of activation — so you won’t start using up your data before putting the travel SIM card into your phone.

Are you going to be away for longer, or are you planning on using some serious data while you’re away for remote work or long chats with Mum? Simply purchase multiple prepaid SIMs. Once you’ve used up your data on one, you can switch it out for a new prepaid SIM and keep connected.

Some of our travel SIM cards also come with an option to top up credit on your existing SIM. Before you buy one of our prepaid SIMs, you can check if this is the case under ‘Things to Know’ on the product page.

All of our international travel SIM cards are supplied by reputable telecommunications providers in different parts of the world. Using them is safe and easy, but you will need to make sure your mobile device is unlocked before you leave for your big holiday. Having a postpaid phone on a plan with a local carrier isn’t the same as having a locked device — but if you’re not sure, your mobile service provider can double-check for you and help you unlock your device for easy international use.

SimCorner offer different travel SIM cards. The phone number associated with your travel SIM card depends on the type of SIM you choose. Some SIMs come with phone numbers noted on the package, others get sent by the provider to your phone. For data-only SIMs, you won't have a local number, but you can use internet-based calling and messaging services; think WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Snapchat, Skype, iMessage or Signal.

Yep! A prepaid SIM won’t alter, delete or change any information on your phone — you’ll still be able to view your apps, messages and any other information saved to the handset. If your contacts are saved in the storage on your current SIM, it’s a good idea to transfer these to your phone’s internal storage or back them up so you can access them at any time. Your WhatsApp and Messenger contacts will all still be on your phone.

When you receive your travel SIM card from SimCorner, the first step you’ll need to do is register it with us. Then, wait until you’ve reached your destination to insert the SIM card into your phone — it will activate from anywhere in the world, so you want your daily countdown to start when you’ve arrived in the country. Make sure your mobile data and data roaming services are turned on and fully enabled so you’re ready to start taking in the sights and sounds like a local!

Most of our travel SIM cards are compatible with mobiles only, meaning they won’t work on iPads or other tablets. However, you can use your mobile as a hotspot to share data with other devices. SimCorner also offers specific data-only SIM options for iPads and tablets in certain countries and regions.

SimCorner offers around-the-clock support and a money-back guarantee on all of our prepaid SIM cards — you just need to let us know about any problems as they occur. When you reach your destination, we recommend activating your SIM card at the airport, so you have a Wi-Fi connection to reach out to customer support if anything doesn’t look right.

If you’ve been a clever clog and thought ahead with a prepaid SIM to your holiday destination, you might start to rest on your laurels. Don’t forget accessories to keep you in touch throughout your trip!

Shop our range of accessories to ensure you have all the travel essentials; from universal power adaptors to wireless phone charger power banks, we’ve got everything you need to stay connected no matter where you are in the world. While you’re there, why not pick up a mask for the plane and a journal to keep all of your brilliant holiday thoughts in?

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card embedded directly into a device's hardware. It allows users to switch between mobile carriers and data plans without the need for a physical SIM card. eSIMs offer flexibility and convenience"

To use an eSIM, your phone must support the technology. Check our comprehensive list to see if your device is eSIM-compatible."

If you’ve got a solo trip, a family holiday or a big adventure with the gang planned, a prepaid SIM card will keep you in touch with those back home and prepare you for any challenges that come your way.

To pick the right data plan and prepaid SIM for your holiday, get in touch with our friendly team today. We’ll be able to talk you through all the options available and set you up with the best value plan that will suit your needs.

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23 Best International SIM Card and Data Plan Options for Travelers (T-Mobile, Google-Fi, and Local SIMs)

Trying to find the best international sim card and data plan for your destination and travels can be frustrating. In this article, we’ll relieve your headache and give a quick list of the international sim cards and global data plans.

Traveling the world is an exciting and satisfying experience, showing up in a new country and exploring with an open mind. Though it can be thrilling to wander learning as you go, for many people arriving in a new destination without connectivity – no mobile phone service or internet can be daunting and scary. I would argue that having global coverage and an internet connection can enhance your travels, allowing you to book accommodation and flights on the fly, research great local restaurants, and have quick access to emergency services when needed.

Lucky for travelers today, there are countless options for maintaining your data, voice, and text capabilities while traveling – whether using local sims, buying a universal sim card to use globally, or eSim – and a perfect card for your budget and destination.

Why is internet service important while traveling long term?

Consistent internet access allows you to plan less before traveling with fewer worries. Recently, I’ve gone as far as not planning to travel to a different country until two days beforehand… which includes purchasing flights, accommodations, and visas. That type of recklessness is only possible because of constant, easy access to the internet and communication, made possible with a good, international travel-friendly SIM.

Having internet access allows me to keep an eye on the essentials (flight price alerts, travel security alerts, locations of traveler friends), and plan the non-essentials (accommodation, itinerary, messaging friends in the area) as late as on arrival in the new country.

Don’t think an international SIM card is worthwhile? Here are a few other examples of how having an international data plan has come in handy for me during the last year of international travel.

• Using local rideshare apps or Uber instead of taxis – saves money and avoids being ripped off
• Facetiming with friends and family at epic sites so they can experience the travel with me instead of seeing pictures on Instagram later
• Looking up information about a site or location in a city while wandering, bringing history and culture to life
• Planning and booking accommodations, transportation, and tours during long stretches of travel – such as on buses or trains – to make good use of seat time, and spend less time planning while I’m in a destination or before travel
• Last minute planning and checking – such as visa information, or searching for common scams in a country
• Access to support via travel insurance support, such as through travel insurance through World Nomads . Keeping their number handy means I can call for help, or to confirm I’m covered before potentially pricey doctor visits or emergencies that aren’t covered. Like I did on the Everest Trek .
• Access to local public transport schedules on demand
• And the list goes on…

So, suffice it to say, if you’re nomading, moving quickly, or take lots of risks when you travel, then getting a sim card and keeping access to the internet is a cheap way to stay safe and make traveling smoother.

The Best International SIM Card Options for Connectivity While Traveling: Data, Text, and Voice

When traveling internationally, your best options for data service, phone calls and texts are:

• Roaming using your current plan (not recommended, but we’ll get into that later)
• Purchasing one to the many global SIMs or international SIM cards
• Purchasing and activating a local SIM card, specific to your country of travel

Option 1: Roaming using your current plan from your home country during international travel. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!

Unless you are a business traveler with your cell phone plan paid for by a very generous company, DO NOT plan on using your home country sim card for data if there are international roaming charges. The fees can be exorbitant and unexpected.

When a friend and I were motorbiking through Vietnam, I opted for a local SIM paired with a US carrier that did not charge international roaming (Google-FI), in order to have data for Google maps and researching accommodation – for a grand total of $30 for a month of service.

My friend decided to “sparingly” use his home carrier (Sprint) which had hefty international roaming fees. During a single motorbike ride on the first day, my friend racked up $300 in data charges unexpectedly. Long story short – whatever the best choice for connectivity is for you – local sim, a home country carrier with no roaming fees, or a global SIM – DO NOT use a home country carrier that charges international roaming fees.

Option 2: Purchasing a Global SIM card for International Travel: What is a Global Sim Card and Why do you Need one?

An “international SIM card” or global sim card is a sim card that allows you access to data, text, and phone calls and multiple countries during your travels as a much more affordable than you would receive if roaming internationally on your home country carrier.

These global SIM cards, and more importantly the associated plans, allow you to simply pop in the physical SIM cards, or register the e-SIM, turn on your phone, and then surf the internet, send texts, hop on Whatsapp, hotspot your laptop, and do whatever you may need to do.

Here is the list of the best SIM cards, mobile network carriers, and plans for international travel to stay connected without breaking the bank.

List of the Best International SIM Cards

• One e-Sim – http://www.onesimcard.com/?68671
• Discover Global e-SIM – https://www.airalo.com/global-esim
• GigSky – e-Sim – Purchase on Amazon
• Nomad (eSIM app) – https://www.getnomad.app/
• Surf Roam e-SIM – https://surfroam.com/products/surfroam-esim

Unlimited Data and Data SIMs

• Know Roaming – https://www.knowroaming.com/
• Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus Plan – https://fi.google.com/about/plans/

Physical SIM

• Travel SIM Worldwide – https://travelsim.com/
• KeepGo Lifetime World Sim – https://www.keepgo.com/
• Surf Roam (Physical SIM) – https://surfroam.com/products/surfroam-sim
• Orange Holiday (14 Days in Europe) – https://geni.us/OrangeSIM
• Travel Sim – https://travelsim.com/international-sim-cards/
• GoSim – https://gosim.com/international-sim-card/
• World Sim – https://www.worldsim.com/
• Three UK Pay As You Go – https://simoptions.com/brand/three-uk
• Telestial – http://www.telestial.com/
• Flexi Roam – https://www.flexiroam.com/
• Hola Fly (eSIM) – https://esim.holafly.com/

SIM Cards for European Countries

• Orange – https://orange.simoptions.com/
• Lyca Mobile – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081P6HCBN/
• Giff Gaff – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G44NKJ8

Option 3: Using local Sim Cards Specific to the Country You Will Visit: The best option for budget travelers

If you will be in one country for longer than two weeks, a local SIM card is likely the best deal for you. 

Purchasing a local SIM card and plan is extremely cheap, and simple to get started on as long as you have a Quad-band, unlocked cell phone, and you will have far better connectivity as long as you pick the main mobile service carrier in your destination country. Throughout Southeast Asia and South America

, a local SIM card with so much data (mine currently has 120GB for the month and the cost was $10) that it could be considered a data SIM card, will rarely cost you more than $15 to $20

If you’re unsure if your phone is unlocked, contact your current provider to check. If your phone is locked, contact your service provider to have them unlock it.

Practicing what I preach and activating a local SIM card in Bali while I write this article. Blogger inception…

If your phone provider won’t unlock your phone, or it will cost more than $100, consider purchasing one abroad. There are plenty of cheap phones (such as Huawei or a manufacturer local to your destination country) that give you the processing power of a Samsung S9 on an Android platform and can be purchased in the country you are in. The best part, is these phones purchased locally only cost about $100 to $300 USD throughout Southeast Asia for a top of the line phone.

However, I recommend buying an unlocked phone on Amazon before going, to avoid the hastle that may come later.

How to get a local SIM Card: Start at the airport and bus station information desks

To get started, just stop at the information kiosk in your arrival airport or bus station. The information kiosks/desks either sell the SIM cards or will be able to tell you where to buy a SIM card easily. 

A cell phone service vendor in the Cairo Airport, located just outside of the arrivals area. 

Outside of most airport or bus stations, you can find the SIM cards at kiosks and mini-marts all over the world. Just look for a picture of a SIM card, a “4G” sign or a “5G” sign.

One of many vendors selling SIM cards for local carriers in Bali, Indonesia (you get extra points if you know what neighborhood this is in)

When I arrived in Bali, I planned to be stay for a month, so I picked up this SIM card from a kiosk I was passing in the Canggu area. For one month of data, 10 GB of 4G data coverage, I paid roughly $7 USD. 

For the months I am here on the island, I use my local SIM for data for Whatsapp calls and messages, as well as to hotspot my laptop and tablet anywhere I go and maintain my Google-Fi plan at the $20 level to allow me unlimited texting on my US number, and international calls to the US (for $.0.20 a minute) for banking, business, and two factor authentication activities on a consistently kept, US SIM.

Ultimately my approach, combining my local SIM with a home country carrier that delivers an affordable price, saves me about $60 a month on my phone bill, giving me better coverage throughout Indonesia.

Review of Local SIM cards as an option for data while traveling

Pros of using a local sim card.

• Cheapest option – usually between $5-$15 for 3GB-7GB of data good for one month

Cons of Using a Local SIM Card

• You’ll usually have to get a new SIM card for each country
• You’ll need an unlocked phone
• You may end up with 10 different SIM cards in your bag in your bag by the end of your trip. 

Bottom Line: If you’ll be in a single country longer than 2 weeks and are hoping for unlimited data or data bundles, go for a local sim.

Option 4: Getting a SIM card from your home country that has an affordable option for internet services/data, and text (Google Fi T-Mobile, etc.) and no roaming fees: Best for Short Trips and Pairing with a local sim

One of the main issues with long term travel and a nomadic lifestyle is maintaining access to financial accounts, verifying information with your credit card company, other important accounts – bank accounts, PayPal, AirBnB, etc. For security and fraud prevention purposes, “two factor authentication” usually done by sending a text message to a registered phone that you can access is common practice for many financia businesses. Unfortunately, switching sim cards in every country can make this process troublesome at best and get you locked out of your accounts at worst.

Maintaining a single SIM card, to access text messages and make the occasional phone call from a registered number is your best bet.

For United States residents, the best home country mobile service providers and plans are Google-Fi and T-Mobile Magenta (formerly T-Mobile One). Additionally, for travelers visiting the US, T-Mobile and Google-Fi are the best mobile networks to sign up with for your trip.

Using T-Mobile Magenta (formerly T-Mobile One) during International Travel

T-Mobile Magenta (formerly T-Mobile One) is a great way to stay connected abroad using a home country (US) carrier instead of purchasing extra travel sim cards, and the method I used during my first year of international travel backpacking around the world. T-Mobile Magenta offers unlimited text and data in 210 countries which means I can arrive, turn on my phone, and I’m connected. No fuss. Nice and easy. 

To date, the only countries I haven’t been able to use T-Mobile were Vietnam, Laos, and Lebanon. That’s it. I’ve tested T-Mobile in 19 countries, and only 3 of my last 50 countries weren’t covered, and in each of those countries, I just picked up a local SIM for less than $5 or stuck to Wifi with no problems.

What is T-Mobile Magenta? The best option for International Travel of Less than 2 weeks per country, and a great option to keep in your back pocket

• All the great benefits shown above
• Taxes & fees included
• 100GB premium data1
• Netflix on Us not included
• 5GB high-speed mobile hotspot

T-Mobile Magenta is a flat $70 per month plan that offers unlimited text, voice, and data in the US and allows you unlimited text and 4G and 5G data in 210 countries, without needing to do anything extra besides turn your phone on with the SIM in it. This flexibility allows you to seamlessly keep in touch with friends & family, and access to the internet wherever you are, as well as the ability to hotspot your laptop or tablet.

That last reason The T-Mobile Magenta plan is also great because it allows you to keep and use your number abroad. So, when your bank, or paypal, or AirBnB need to send you a verification text for security, you can actually do it. I guarantee, this is a lot more useful than it sounds when you’re outside of the US longer than a few months.

… But… there are two catches to T-Mobile Magenta …

First, you have to setup and activate T-Mobile Magenta while you’re in the US, from then on you’re good. If you want T-Mobile Magenta, set it up early before you travel.

Second, technically you are only allowed to roam internationally for 3 months maximum with T-Mobile Magenta before returning to the states.  Supposedly , if you roam internationally for more than 3 months they will suspend your service until you return to the US (I’ve received the warning message a couple of times) – but there’s a travel hack to maintaining your service

To maintain your T-Mobile Magenta service beyond three months while traveling internationally, simply suspend and restart your service. Boom! The clock for your “three months of international roaming” starts back at zero, and your “three months of international roaming” restarts.

To suspend and restart your T-Mobile Magenta Service, go into “My T-Mobile” within your online T-Mobile account, schedule for your phone to be suspended for a few days, and schedule your service to be restarted. Once your service is suspended, you’ll receive a nice text alerting you it has been suspended, and you will also receive a nice text notifying you when it has been reconnected. During the period of suspension, you won’t be charged the normal $70 per month, just a prorated $10 a month for the period of suspension. 

This leads to one of the benefits of T-Mobile Magenta – the ability to easily suspend your number for only $10 per month (while you’re using a cheaper local SIM) and restart your service simply by hopping online and clicking a few buttons. Awesome. When your service has been restored, you’ll maintain the same number you always had.

T-Mobile Magenta 55+ and Magenta Military/Veteran:  The T-Mobile Magenta plan, but $35 per line with international text and data

Simply put, T-Mobile Magenta 55+ is T-Mobile Magenta but you get up to two lines for only $35  (or $70 for two lines) including international text and data…but at least one person on the account has to be over 55 years young.

So, if you are over 55 years young, or know someone who is, T-Mobile Magenta 55+ (we’ll say T-Mobile Magenta for the “seasoned” crowd) is the  best international SIM card and data plan for travel. —  OR — if you’re a gap year student headed abroad, ask mom and dad to switch to T-Mobile 55+ so your line is cheaper and you can stay in touch via text abroad. They’ll like that.

Review of T-Mobile Magenta for International Travel

Pros of t-mobile magenta for international travel.

• Unlimited texts and unlimited 4G and 5G data in 210 countries for only $70 per month ($55 if you are 55 or older, a military servicemember, or a veteran)
• Easy to suspend via online dashboard and maintain your phone number for only $10 per month while suspended
• Receive texts at a single, verified phone number while traveling (for 2 factor authentication or simple connectivity)
• T-Mobile Magenta is month to month and requires no contract, thus you can cancel at any time with no penalty
• The SIM can be switched to any phone for service if your phone breaks or you upgrade phones while traveling
• Check your text messages online, if your phone is unavailable

Cons of T-Mobile Magenta for International Travel

• International roaming is “limited” to 3 months – but is easily overcome
• More expensive than a local SIM ($70 for T-Mobile vs. $5-$15 for a local SIM)
• Only provides 3G speeds internationally unless you upgrade
• Data coverage can be spotty sometimes, depending on the country you’re in and T-Mobile’s partner carrier
• Coverage in the US can be weak at times compared to ATT and Verizon

The Bottom Line on Using T-Mobile Magenta for International Travel

A fantastic option that you have to set up while home, but having consistent connectivity on arrival in most countries is pricelessly convenient. If you decide to use a local SIM, the suspension is easy and $10 a month to maintain the line isn’t much. It is better to start with T-Mobile and cancel later than get overseas and wish you had it. I switched to T-Mobile from ATT a few years ago and have been using T-Mobile for travel for the last 1.5 years. Its worth it.

Using Google-Fi for International Travel

Flexible, convenient, and cheap, starting at $20 per month for unlimited texting with a few great plans.

• Flexible Plan: $20 per month for unlimited texting internationally and $10 per GB of data
• Unlimited Plus: $65 per month for unlimited texting internationally, unlimited data usage and hotspotting internationally

I love all things Google and I love the Google-Fi plan . Similar to T-Mobile, you get free data in 170+ countries. Additionally, your bill is tiered based on how much data you use and you will never pay more than $80 per month ($60 for data and $20 for talk and text) but you only pay for the data you use at $10 per GB up to 6GB. Therefore, your bill is anywhere between $30 and $80 a month but never more. You can also add someone to your plan for $15 and you can add one device free. That’s pretty awesome. What’s the catch and why don’t I recommend Google-Fi? 

Google Fi is available to anyone, simply go over to the Google-Fi home, order a sim card on Amazon for cheap.

The downside is any Google-Fi SIM needs to be activated while in the US, so order now and handle that before leaving

Review of Google-Fi for International Travel

Pros of the Google-Fi Plan for Travel

• Covers you with data and text internationally in 170+ countries
• Easily suspended (when using a local SIM)
• Let’s you add a device to your data plan for free
• Bill can be cheaper than T-Mobile if you use 4GB or less data per month

Cons of the Google-Fi Plan for Travel

• Must be activated while stateside

Option 4: Combining a home country mobile service provider (like T-Mobile or Google-Fi) with a Local SIM

By far, the best option for maintaining conis to combine a reliable US carrier SIM, that offers free international roaming in its plan and the option to suspend service easily (like T-Mobile), with a local SIM card. When using a local SIM, just suspend your service to save money (~$55 to $65 savings per month). When traveling too quickly through countries to warrant a local SIM, just rely on your existing T-Mobile or Google Fi service for data coverage wherever you go. Done deal

The Bottom Line on How to Stay Connected while Traveling Internationally: Google-Fi + Local SIM

The best option for most travelers is to get the $70 per month T-Mobile Magenta plan for traveling internationally ($70/mo. Including international data coverage) combined with the local SIM option. If you will be in one country for two weeks or more, pay the $5-$15 to get a local SIM with data and suspend T-Mobile service. With this approach, you’ll have the best coverage for the lowest cost.

For travelers with Google phones, also consider the Google-Fi program for international travel as a great option to combine with a local SIM.

T-Mobile Magenta: $75/mo Unlimited international text and data

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More Great Articles to Help You Get Abroad:

• The Ultimate Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Guide
• Moving to Malaysia: A Complete Guide
• Moving to Bali: A complete guide for digital nomads and aspiring expats
• The New Thailand Visa Exemption: Everything You Need to Know
• The New Bali Digital Nomad Visa and 5 Other Options: A Complete Guide
• Buying a House on Bali: A Complete Guide to Cheap, Easy Home Ownership in Bali
• The 51 Best Digital Nomad Jobs among Successful Nomads
• 9 Epic South America Backpacking Routes
• Backpacking the World…2 Weeks at a Time
• Is Geoarbitrage for You? An Ultimate Guide to Living Better for Cheaper as a as a Nomad

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlos is a nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.

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The 7 Best Portable and Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots for Travel in 2024

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

774 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3114 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

What Is a Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Things to look for in a mobile wi-fi hotspot, frequencies explained: the difference between gsm and cdma, 1. keep in touch wherever you are using the glocalme 4g lte network, 2. rapid download speeds and superfast internet on the go, 3. best for professionals who need to keep connected, 4. a powerful global wi-fi hotspot for use in over 160 countries, 5. compact and capable offering 18 hours of battery life, 6. superfast connectivity in over 135 countries, 7. connect 10 wi-fi enabled devices with this verizon jetpack, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Whether you want to update your Insta on the go or need to keep in touch with the office, losing your internet signal can be very frustrating.

But it’s annoying (and can be unsafe) to rely on public Wi-Fi signals in every coffee shop you visit, and sometimes when traveling to remote locations, public connections are just not available.

Instead, you can invest in a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot to ensure safe, secure, and reliable internet access anywhere you go. Here’s what you need to consider when choosing the best one for you.

A Wi-Fi hotspot is a battery-powered wireless router that travels with you. Designed to be compact and lightweight enough to slip into your purse or pocket, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot device brings the internet to your phone, tablet, or laptop, no matter where in the world it finds you.

These gadgets are a big bonus for anyone traveling away from public Wi-Fi or those looking for a secure connection. A bit like a cellular device, your Wi-Fi hotspot provides access to invisible signals in the sky, all of which can help you to upload pics or receive your emails on the move.

You will need to pay for the data you use, which can be done in the form of packages or day passes that offer unlimited access for a set period of time.

Bottom Line: Using 3G or 4G (and maybe even 5G in the coming months), these smart little devices emit a reliable and incredibly useful Wi-Fi signal that you can hook your favorite gadgets and devices to while away from home.

Battery Life

Most batteries will run happily for between 5-6 hours at a time. If you are traveling somewhere with easy access to electricity, you should be able to charge overnight to ensure your hotspot works when you need it for your daily adventures. If you spend a disproportionately large amount of time online, you may want to look at a device that offers a longer battery life.

Size and Weight

Your Wi-Fi hotspot should be small enough to be carried everywhere with you. After all, if it’s not entirely portable, what exactly is the point? Slimline, lightweight, and often smaller than the smartphone you are trying to connect to, these devices are compact and clever.

Wi-Fi Support

Because some mobile internet providers are better than others, the coverage you receive from any Wi-Fi hotspot can also vary. For example, 2.4GHz gives coverage at a more extended range but will transmit the data at a much slower speed. A 5GHz band, on the other hand, will provide less range with data transmitted at a much faster speed.

Though they may be small, they are still mighty, and most hotspot devices will have a built-in display. At the very least, the display should indicate remaining battery life and current Wi-Fi signal strength. Others may offer bonus features like SMS messages or touch screen modes.

Card Reader

Some portable Wi-Fi hotspots come with the capability to read MicroSD memory cards, which can be used to store and access files from your laptop or home computer. You can also share your stored files with the people who use your network when you want them to have access.

MicroSD memory cards are not typically included with the purchase of a Wi-Fi hotspot, but they are a useful addition that allows you to send and receive SMS messages and save images, music, and other data-heavy files.

Mobile data is delivered using 1 of 2 types of cellular signals in different countries and regions around the world. These cellular standards allow for communication between individuals; without them, we would not be able to keep in touch on such a global scale.

Known as GSM and CDMA, each standard converts both incoming and outgoing radio waves in entirely different ways. Before you buy a hotspot, you need to understand its function and where you’ll be able to use it.

Global System for Mobile Communication is used in most countries around the world. In the U.S., only AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. GSM uses Time Division Multiple Access (or TDMA), which allocates time slots to multiple conversation streams and alters how phones transmit their information. Doing this requires a SIM card (or “subscriber identification module” card).

It is the SIM card that holds all the information you need to make calls, use mobile internet, and store your contacts. The SIM card tells the device what services you have access to and is vital for GSM communications on the go.

CDMA is used in countries including Russia and the U.S. ( Sprint , Verizon , and US Cellular), and it grants users full access to a wide spectrum of bandwidth, meaning more users can connect at any one time. It also encodes each signal, meaning that every conversation remains protected and filtered.

CDMA does not rely on SIM cards as the device has the technology built into it from the carriers’ networks. This once meant that if you wanted to change carriers, you would need to buy a new device altogether. These days though, many CDMA devices offer the capability to use a SIM card too, especially for those on LTE networks.

Bottom Line: Different countries (and different carriers) use different technologies. In the U.S., Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use CDMA, while AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. When it comes to purchasing a hotspot, make sure you understand what type you’re buying, what countries it will work in, and what providers it will function with.

The 7 Best Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots for Travel

GlocalMe DuoTurbo 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

With a global SIM-free connection, you can quickly and easily access the internet without worrying about a local SIM card or roaming charges. The 4G LTE high-speed network connects up to 10 devices at a time. Enjoy an innovative GlocalMe app that uses a dedicated security protocol to ensure your Wi-Fi connection is always safe.

You can also easily manage your data usage from anywhere in the world. With an initial 1.1 GB of global data and 8 GB U.S. data included to see you on your way, you can easily top up your data using the GlocalMe app, which is specifically designed to work in a variety of different countries and regions.

Bottom Line: With 1 Nano SIM card slot and the ability to connect to unlocked Wi-Fi hotspots wherever you are, the G4 will provide you with up to 12 hours of nonstop usage from a single charge.

Huawei E5577Cs-321 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

Huawei’s Wi-FI hotspot is both affordable and reliable — and it’s good enough to give some of the more prominent brand alternatives a real run for their money.

This hotspot offers rapid download speeds of up to 150 Mbps 4G LTE and 43.2 Mbps 3G download , connection for up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices, 6 hours of working time, and a whopping 300 hours of standby time.

Bottom Line: The TFT-LCD screen with 2D Barcode secure connection is easy to use, and the device itself is unlocked for all networks — you can even choose your SIM card if you want to.

Huawei  E5576-320  4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Router

This high-speed mobile router and multi-mode wireless terminal is for use in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The hotspot offers 16 Wi-Fi connections at a time, and the unlocked carrier connection means you can use 3G signals from any provider. Controllable via the innovative Huawei Mobile Wi-Fi app, you can enjoy uploads and connectivity for up to 6 hours using the 1500 mAh battery.

Bottom Line: While this device model will not work in the Americas or the United States, it is an affordable solution for those traveling to other parts of the world.

RoamWiFi 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Router

The RoamWiFi Mobile Router is a powerful global Wi-Fi hotspot with super-fast 4G LTE speeds that can be used in over 160 different countries and shared to 5 connections. Sleek and stylish, the simple orange hotspot can be stored in your carry-on luggage and will be easy to find when you get there.

By far, the most impressive feature of this particular model is the whopping 18 hours of battery life . 500MB of data can be purchased for as little as $2.90 per day.

Bottom Line: All-in-all, this is a tremendous little Wi-Fi hotspot for your next adventure.

Netgear Unite Explore AC815S Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

This slim 4G LTE-capable device provides super-fast internet and as much as 18 hours of battery life on a single charge to as many as 15 Wi-Fi devices on the go.

Super easy to use, the color LCD screen shows you all the network info you need, as well as displaying battery life and connectivity levels.

Bottom Line: Made by one of the most trusted names in communications, the Unite Explore is a reliable Wi-Fi hotspot for travelers looking for longer battery life.

SIMO Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot

With no contract or SIM card required, this convenient little device will ensure you’re always connected on the go. The virtual SIM technology is compatible with most major carriers, and you can control everything through the handy Solis WiFi app.

You can connect up to 10 different devices with up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge. As well as keeping you connected, this mobile hotspot doubles up as a power bank, so you’ll never run out of charge.

Bottom Line: With SIMO Solis, users can enjoy day pass Wi-Fi, pay as you go access by gigabyte, or monthly and yearly subscriptions.

Verizon MiFi Jetpack 4620L

Brought to you by the communication experts at Verizon, this MiFi Jetpack offers superior connectivity and speedy internet access virtually anywhere in the world. With the ability to connect up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices in 4G and up to 5 devices in 3G, this is one of the most effective LTE hotspot devices on the market.

Compatible with all major operating systems including Windows, Mac OSX, Android, and iOS, you can quickly and easily connect your phone, tablet, or laptop. The interactive OLED display shows you when you are connected, as well as the connection status and how many users are connected. It can even alert you when you receive a new SMS message.

Bottom Line: With up to 5 hours of usage available from a single charge, this impressive MiFi mobile Wi-Fi device is one of the most effective LTE hotspot devices on the market.

With a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, you are no longer at the mercy of unsecured, cumbersome, and often super-slow public Wi-Fi signals when you take to the road. Your very own Wi-Fi allows you to download data, upload images, and keep in touch with civilization, no matter how far away you go.

Before you commit to a connection, look for a mobile Wi-Fi device that is compact and portable with a large enough battery to last you all day. Your new Wi-Fi hotspot should also be simple to use, easy to connect to, and ideally able to offer a connection to several different devices (especially if you’re traveling with friends).

Lastly, don’t miss these other tech-related product reviews to level up your travel game!

• The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Travel
• What are the Best GoPro Alternatives? [10+ Options]
• The Best Portable Power Bank Chargers for Travel
• Travel Product Reviews – Tech & Photography Focus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mobile wi-fi hotspot for travelers.

Our vote is for the GlocalMe G4 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot.

With a global SIM-free connection, you can quickly and easily access the internet without worrying about a local SIM card or roaming charges. The 4G LTE high-speed network connects up to 10 devices at a time. Enjoy 50Mbps upload speeds and an innovative GlocalMe app that uses a dedicated security protocol to ensure your Wi-Fi connection is always safe.

Do mobile hotspots work internationally?

Many mobile hotspots do work internationally, but this would depend on what plan your device is on. Many plans include a set amount of international data, while others offer unlimited usage for a set fee.

Can mobile hotspot replace home Wi-Fi?

Although mobile hotspots can be used in place of home Wi-Fi, it usually carries higher usage costs. If you are a heavy downloader or video streamer, you would likely be better off registering for a home Wi-Fi service.

Which is better Wi-Fi or hotspot?

Hotspots usually offer slower speeds and less security than Wi-Fi; however, it is convenient if you’re on the move, and there are no guarantees that you will be able to access a Wi-Fi connection.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Local SIM Cards vs A Portable Wifi Device: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Finding service to power your smartphone while abroad can be a challenge. There are a few different options that vary widely in price and effectiveness. Before you head off on your international trip, here’s what you need to know about staying connected: 

The Primary Options

There are three main options for keeping your smartphone (and other electronic devices) connected while abroad: an international SIM card, local SIM card, or a travel WiFi hotspot. An international SIM card helps your phone connect in other countries, but this option comes with a higher price tag because your cell service provider will need to contract with cell service providers around the globe to provide you with a connection. Likewise, most portable WiFi hotspot devices can be pricey because they run off the same system. Generally speaking, a local SIM card is considered the more cost-effective option, but is it really?

International SIM Cards

The big benefit of a local SIM card is that it makes your phone function on a local provider’s system by simply swapping out your phone’s usual SIM card and replacing it with a new, local one for the duration of your trip. You get to keep your apps, your photos, and any other data stored on your phone. Generally, an international SIM card means paying a start-up fee and then enjoying the local price for either contract or pay-as-you-go options. 

The downside is that most international SIM cards only work in the country and with the provider for which it was issued. So, if your travels will take you hopping across Europe, you’ll need to get a new SIM card each time you cross over into a new country. That means new expenses for each border you cross. If you’ll be in one country for the entirety of your trip, a local SIM card might make sense. If not, an international SIM card from your usual provider is going to be about the same cost as multiple local SIM cards. 

The other problem with a local SIM card is that you’re forced to wait until you arrive in the country to buy one, which can increase hassle and impede some of the moments you need an internet connection the most. 

Travel WiFi Hotspot

The alternative is to find an option that lets you pay like a local without grabbing a new SIM card in every country. Most travel WiFi hotspot devices work on the same signal that your smartphone uses. However, Sapphire travel WiFi combines the best of both worlds. Our smartphone-sized device provides travel WiFi signal at local prices — without swapping SIM cards every time you go to a new country. Simply power up your Sapphire, connect to a WiFi-enabled device, and choose your country and plan. When it’s time to change countries, simply select the appropriate option and your Sapphire will connect your travel WiFi as soon as you need it. 

Learn more and grab your Sapphire international WiFi device online today. 

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Best eSIM for Global Travel in 2024

What is the best eSIM for global travel?

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Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

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About Amanda

Amanda has 20+ years of experience as an educator. Her teaching career, paired with her love for research and technology, has led her to MoneySavingPro. Her personal experience with eSIMs and MVNOs after switching her entire family away from big wireless in the last few years has taught her the ins and outs of the industry. And saved her hundreds per month.

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MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy .

If you're busy planning an exciting multi-country trip, you want reliable international phone service you can count on.

Travel eSIMs provide a convenient solution for accessing local networks while abroad. This handy technology eliminates the need to rush around trying to find a local SIM card at each location you visit.

Below, you'll find your guide to choosing the best global eSIM for your next trip. Plus, I'll give you my top recommendations and answer some frequently asked questions.

Best overall global travel eSIM

Airalo is one of the most well-known names in travel eSIMs, and for good reason - it partners with major local networks in over 200 destinations to provide reliable mobile internet access for travelers.

Of course, no one international eSIM is perfect for every customer. Below, you'll find what we consider to be the pros and cons of Airalo .

• 200+ countries
• 7 days-3 months validity period
• Prices start around $5 for one week
• Local, regional, or global plans
• Flexible eSIMs - add voice and text
• Great coverage
• Mobile hotspot usage
• Prices drop the more data you buy
• Phone number included with Discover+ plans
• eSIM automatically connects to the fastest local network
• User-friendly Airalo app and website
• Fast, helpful customer support
• Can't mix-and-match data size and validity period
• Customer service is only available by message

While it isn't the cheapest option, Airalo eSIM is a solid choice with offerings to fit various needs. Plus, they have the advantage of being highly recognizable, with an impressive customer count of over five million people.

When it comes to globe-trotting, you're probably already aware that finding an international eSIM with an extended expiry date can be challenging.

Eskimo stands out compared to its competitors by offering passes that last up to two years, depending on which plan you choose:

• Individual country eSIM: 180 days
• Regional eSIM: 365 days
• Global eSIM: 2 years

There are some things to consider regarding the pros and cons of an Eskimo eSIM.

• Mexico, North America, or Global
• 1 GB - 30 GB
• 6 months - 2 years validity period
• Prices start at $6
• Long validity periods
• Borderless functionality
• Easy top-up process
• Data sharing with anyone
• No data speed throttling or daily limits
• Hassle-free refund if unable to connect/install
• 80+ countries included, fewer than some providers
• No phone number is included

While cheaper options are available - for example, an Eskimo global plan with 10 GB costs $39 - the generous expiration period can be worth it for extended travels. That means no annoying monthly renewals, so you can go wherever the road takes you and know you'll stay connected.

AIS SIM2Fly

SIM2Fly offers a flexible global eSIM that you can keep active for up to a year. This Thailand-based provider covers 140 countries, in your choice of regional or global packages.

Another advantage of SIM2Fly's global eSIM is that you get a Thai phone number with your plan. This is especially useful if Thailand is one of the stops on your world tour.

In addition to its global plans, this provider sells an eSIM that's good for six months and lets you add your own plan. This feature makes it super flexible if you're a digital nomad who hasn't written your itinerary in stone.

Here's what to know about AIS SIM2Fly, plus some advantages and drawbacks.

• 140+ destinations covered
• Good for up to a year at a time
• 1GB - 15GB data per plan
• Pricing starts at $4
• Regional & global plans
• Competitive global rates
• Phone number included
• Mobile hotspot permitted
• Long validity period
• Customer support by phone
• The website is a bit confusing
• No single-country plans

What is a travel eSIM?

A travel eSIM functions as a digital SIM card, allowing your phone to connect to cellular networks worldwide.

When it comes to embedded SIM cards, device compatibility is essential. Many popular smartphones, including the iPhone 13 and newer, as well as various Android devices, now support eSIM technology.

Important note: To use a travel eSIM plan, your phone must be carrier-unlocked. Contact your carrier if you need help unlocking your device.

How travel eSIMs work

Setting up an embedded SIM is a straightforward process. Your chosen provider will send you a QR code. You can either scan the QR code using another phone or print it out and scan it upon arrival. Scanning the code will prompt you to install the eSIM profile.

The great thing is that once your eSIM is activated, your phone will automatically connect to the closest mobile networks.

Why should I get an eSIM for international travel?

• Convenience: Skip the kiosks and vending machines with instant activation. Effortlessly manage your travel data plan directly on your mobile phone, typically via the provider's mobile app.
• Cost-effectiveness: Save money on international roaming charges from your home carrier. Enjoy global coverage with no surprises.
• Flexibility: Conveniently access your different plans at will. Transition seamlessly between your local SIM card and travel plan without swapping physical SIM cards.
• Security: Embedded SIM cards offer a higher level of security in comparison to physical SIM cards because they are not removable. That means they can't be lost or stolen. This guarantees superior protection for your personal data.

How to choose the best global eSIM

It can be a little overwhelming to navigate the wide range of plans available from different providers. Start your search by looking at your itinerary and which specific features you need.

When deciding on the best global eSIM for yourself, there are several important factors to take into account.

Your destination

Various global eSIM providers offer a wide range of covered countries. For example, Airalo covers 130 countries, while Eskimo offers 84. So, check over your plan's country list to verify you'll have coverage everywhere you go.

How much data do you need?

There are various packages to choose from, typically ranging from 1 GB to 30 GB. Some providers charge by the GB; that way, you can decide on the amount of data you need as you go.

Also, take into consideration whether you'll want to use your phone as a mobile hotspot. Many service providers offer the option to share data with other devices.

Do you intend to limit your data usage? Do your accommodations offer Wi-Fi for data-intensive activities? Make sure to estimate your daily data usage before purchasing a plan.

Length of your trip

If you're going to travel for a long time, validity periods are crucial. You can choose from a wide range of options, from a few days to two years. Choose a plan that will last you through your voyage so that you don't have to top up all the time.

Pay attention to when the validity period countdown begins as well. Although the activation of certain eSIMs triggers the countdown, others start upon connecting to a mobile network outside your home country.

Do you need international calling?

Some travel eSIMs include an international phone number, allowing you to make and receive calls while traveling. If you need voice minutes to contact your home country, ensure this feature is included in the package.

If you choose a data eSIM without voice minutes, there are still good options for phone calls. You can use third-party apps and Wi-Fi calling to make international calls and send text messages. It is important to note that these apps will consume mobile data from your travel plan.

Best global eSIM FAQs

Do global esims work everywhere.

No. Each provider has a list of different countries where your travel plan will work. Read over this list to make sure all of your destinations are covered.

Should I get a global eSIM?

While global phone plans are more expensive than single-country or regional plans, the convenience factor makes it one of the best options. With a global plan, you won't have to keep switching eSIMs as you travel.

How much does global data cost?

Prices vary among providers. Global data typically runs between about $3 and $9 a GB.

Recap - What's the best global eSIM?

Going on an international adventure is a thrilling experience. You want your phone service squared away so you can enjoy the sights without any hassles.

A global eSIM allows you to communicate, navigate maps, and post to social media, regardless of where your journey takes you.

For more great options, check out our guide to the best eSIMs for international travel.

Related Content

The 5 Best Portable WiFi Hotspots for International Travel

You're finally in your dream destination, exploring ancient Maya ruins, soaking up the sun on a tropical beach, or wandering charming cobblestone streets. But wait... how are you going to share those amazing photos with friends and family? And what about finding the best restaurant recommendations in the area if the internet is not that great?

You don't necessarily have to let that slow and unreliable public WiFi ruin your adventures. You can just use a portable WiFi hotspot instead.

These little gadgets will keep you connected wherever you are so you can share your experiences, navigate easily, and make the most of your trip. But which one should you choose among the many portable WiFi devices in the market?

We've done a ton of research on the best portable hotspots to find the ones that are easy to use, reliable, and won't break the bank . So, let's dive in and find the one you need for your next nomad trip!

Best Portable WiFi Hotspots For International Travel

• Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2024/03/simo-solis-lite-4g.webp
• Title: Simo Solis Lite
• Description: Best Overall for Travelers
• Target: 1-simo-solis-lite-4g-best-overall
• Price: 159.99
• Link: https://soliswifi.co/products/solis-lite-hotspot?rfsn=7506940.acb928&ref=freakingnomads.com
• Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2024/03/roamwifi-r10.webp
• Title: RoamWiFi R10
• Description: Best Battery Life
• Target: 2-roamwifi-r10-4g-best-battery-life
• Price: 249.99
• Link: https://amzn.to/3TuRjzM
• Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2024/03/glocalme-g4-pro-4g-1.webp
• Title: GlocalMe G4 Pro
• Description: Most User-Friendly
• Target: 3-glocalme-g4-pro-4g-most-user-friendly
• Price: 169.99
• Link: https://shrsl.com/4fqzb
• Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2024/03/netgear-m6-mobile-wifi-hotspot.webp
• Title: Netgear Nighthawk M6
• Description: Best for SIM Card Users
• Target: 4-netgear-nighthawk-m6-5g-best-for-sim-card-users
• Price: 699.00
• Link: https://amzn.to/3Pi61re
• Image: /content/images/size/w1600/2024/03/keepgo-1.webp
• Title: Keepgo
• Description: Best Pay-As-You-Go Hotspot for Flexibility
• Target: 5-keepgo-best-pay-as-you-go-hotspot-for-flexibility
• Price: 129.00
• Link: https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-mobile-travel-wifi-hotspot?ref=freakingnomads

1. Simo Solis Lite 4G : Best Overall for Travelers

The Simo Solis Lite is the total package for budget-minded travelers who need reliable connectivity in a huge range of countries (over 135!). This device always has your back in any adventure thanks to its free (though limited) data plans , its battery that lasts all day , and its integrated power bank that lets you charge your other gadgets in a pinch. And if you need more data, you can always upgrade easily with their flexible plans . It's the absolutely perfect no-fuss, dependable buddy for staying connected during your travel adventures, and we love it.

Key Features:

• Free Lifetime Global Data Plan (1GB/month)
• Works in over 135 countries
• 16-hour battery life
• Can charge other devices
• Connects up to 10 devices simultaneously

How To Use This Mobile WiFi Hotspot?

• Start by giving the Solis Lite a full charge before your trip
• Download the Solis mobile app for either iOS or Android for a quick and easy setup process
• Once set up, pick a data plan from within the app that fits your needs
• Now, just turn it on and connect your phone, laptop, or other gadgets to the device's WiFi just like any other WiFi network you've connected to.

Pros and cons:

2. RoamWiFi R10 4G : Best Battery Life

Imagine never having to worry about running out of juice mid-trip, leaving you stranded without directions or the ability to share those amazing photos. All at a great value for money . The RoamWiFi R10 makes that dream a reality. This portable WiFi keeps you connected throughout long travel days and exploring sessions, perfect for those late-night searches for the best local bars or early-morning commutes with podcasts and playlists aplenty.

• Up to 18 hours of battery life
• Global Wi-Fi connectivity (160+ countries)
• Connects up to 10 devices
• High-speed 4G LTE
• Easy-to-use interface

How to Use This Mobile WiFi Hotspot?

• Get the RoamWiFi R10 ready by giving it a full charge for a long-lasting battery
• Head then to the RoamWiFi website or download their app to choose
• Purchase a data plan that works for wherever you're traveling
• Power it up and connect your travel gadgets to its WiFi network like you would with any regular WiFi connection.

3. GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G : Most User-Friendly

Think of the GlocalMe G4 Pro as that super helpful, tech-savvy friend who can fix any problem. The difference is that this device can always be in your pocket. No complicated setup here, just easy-to-understand instructions and a super intuitive app . It offers a reliable connection and makes navigating the tech side of travel seem the easiest thing ever. Plus, if you're traveling with others, this mobile hotspot can easily share its connection with multiple devices at once .

• Super easy to use app to set up and manage
• Global 4G LTE connectivity in 140+ countries
• Supports up to 8 devices
• Extremely pocket-sized and lightweight
• Charge the GlocalMe G4 Pro before you venture out
• Download the GlocalMe app (iOS or Android) to help you get set up and manage the device
• From within the app, purchase a data plan that makes sense for your destination and how much data you'll need
• Then, it's as simple as powering it on and connecting your devices to the designated WiFi network.

4. Netgear Nighthawk M6 5G : Best for SIM Card Users

If you're all about those SIM-based data plans, the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 5G is your perfect match. It's designed with SIM cards in mind , so you know it'll work flawlessly if that's something you prefer. Plus, it offers fast 5G speeds (where available in your destination) and can connect up to 32 devices – ideal for sharing with a big group or if you're traveling with a ton of gadgets. Expect a long battery life and easy control with its trusty touchscreen .

• Designed for use with SIM cards
• High-speed 5G and 4G LTE connectivity
• Connects up to 32 devices for large groups or many gadgets
• Impressive battery of 5050mAh
• LCD touchscreen
• Insert a compatible SIM card from your carrier and make sure you have a suitable data plan before you start using the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6
• Power on the device and connect your gadgets to its designated WiFi network
• You can use their handy LCD touchscreen or download the NETGEAR app for easy management and changing settings.

5. Keepgo : Best Pay-As-You-Go Hotspot for Flexibility

The Keepgo is the mobile hotspot for commitment-averse travelers . It's the perfect device for slow-travelers who don't travel constantly but still want a reliable internet backup when they do. With pay-as-you-go data packages , you only pay for what you need – no wasted data or monthly bills . Plus, Keepgo gives you options: use a convenient virtual eSIM or pop in a regular SIM card for ultimate versatility. It's small, light, and works wherever your chosen data package lets you roam, making it a great addition to your travel gear.

• You can buy data packages as you need them
• Chance to use either a virtual eSIM or a regular SIM card
• Works internationally (depending on your data package choice)
• Small and light for easy travel
• You can start by inserting a physical SIM card into your hotspot if you're planning to go that route. Alternatively, you can purchase an eSIM plan directly from Keepgo's website
• Choose a data package for your trip, taking into account where you're going and how much data you might use
• Turn on the hotspot and connect your devices to its WiFi network as you usually would.

Other travel gear you may also be interested in:

The Best Portable WiFi Devices for Travel: Our Buying Guide

Okay, you've seen the contenders, read about their strengths and quirks, but now how do you actually pick the perfect device for your travels? Don't worry, we've got your back with this handy buying guide. Let's break it down into simple terms to help you make the best choice for your adventures.

What is a Portable WiFi Router?

A portable WiFi router is a nifty little gadget that creates your own personal WiFi network wherever you go . It uses a cellular connection (just like your phone does) or a wired internet source to give you the freedom to connect your phone, laptop, tablet, or any other travel tech while on the move .

Why Do I Need a Portable WiFi Hotspot When Traveling?

A portable WiFi hotspot is your secret weapon against those pesky travel tech frustrations like weak public WiFi, sky-high roaming charges when you use your phone's data, and the stress of not being able to get connected when you need to.

Plus, it's a lifesaver when you're traveling with kids, colleagues, or a group, letting you share the connection with everyone . Imagine having reliable internet to check flight updates, book taxis, stream a little entertainment during downtime, or upload those epic vacation photos without a worry in the world. Well, that's the actual power of a portable WiFi hotspot !

How Do Portable WiFi Routers Work?

Alright, let's dive into the techy side of things (don't worry, we'll keep it simple). Portable WiFi routers are sort of mini cell towers that fit in your pocket.

They use cellular data networks (you know, like 4G or 5G) to create a WiFi bubble around them. Your devices connect to this bubble just like they would to your home WiFi or a cafe's network.

A portable WiFi device basically acts as a go-between, fetching data from the internet via the cellular network and delivering it to your connected devices . Pretty nifty, right?

Are Portable WiFi Routers Better Than Hotspot?

We heard many times travelers asking: "Wait, isn't my phone's hotspot feature the same thing?" Well, yes and no.

While your phone can create a WiFi network, it's not really built for that .

Portable WiFi routers , on the other hand, are designed specifically for this job . They often have stronger antennas, better battery life, and can handle more devices without breaking a sweat.

Plus, using your phone as a hotspot can drain its battery faster than you can say "where's my charger?".

So, if you need a reliable, long-lasting WiFi connection for multiple devices, a portable router is definitely the way to go.

Do Portable WiFi Need a SIM Card?

This is where things get a little tricky. Some portable WiFi routers , like the ones we mentioned in this review of the best portable WiFi hotspots, come with built-in SIM cards or eSIMs . These are like digital SIM cards that are already programmed into the device.

Others have a slot where you can insert your own SIM card from a local carrier in your destination . And some others can work with both instead !

It all depends on the device and your preferences: built-in SIMs are super convenient, but they might be more expensive in the long run. On the other hand, bringing your own SIM card can save you money, but it requires a bit more setup work. It's all about finding the right balance for your travel style and budget.

Do Portable WiFi Devices Work Anywhere I Travel To?

Now, you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, but will my portable WiFi work wherever I wander?" The answer is... it depends. Most portable WiFi devices work in a wide range of countries, but it's important to check the specifics before you jet off .

Some portable WiFi devices have global coverage, while others are limited to certain regions. And even within a country, coverage can vary depending on the local cellular networks . But if you actually want to be triple sure, be aware that most devices come with handy coverage maps or guides to help you plan your connected adventures. Just do a little research before you pack your bags, and you'll be good to go.

Does Portable WiFi Work Without Service?

Portable WiFi routers need some kind of cellular service to work their magic. They're not like those satellite phones you see in movies (though those are pretty cool too). If you're in an area with no cellular coverage , your portable WiFi will be pretty much useless .

But here's the good news: most popular travel destinations have pretty decent cellular coverage these days and worldwide 5G and LTE coverage is growing fast, as shown by data from Statista .

On top of that, if you're really going off the beaten path, you can always check coverage maps or ask your device provider for advice. Just remember, a little preparation can save you a lot of frustration later.

Are Portable WiFi Hotspots Worth It Then?

Well, my travel-loving friend, that depends on your needs and preferences. If you're a digital nomad who needs reliable internet to work from anywhere, a portable WiFi device is a lifesaver. This is also true if you're traveling with a group or family and want to keep everyone connected without breaking the bank on roaming charges.

So, if you just want the peace of mind of knowing you can always get online when you need to, a portable WiFi router is a small price to pay. But if you're a casual traveler who's happy to rely on the occasional cafe WiFi or hotel network, you might not need one.

Ultimately, it's all about weighing your needs, your budget, and your travel style. But if you do decide to invest in a portable WiFi hotspot, we promise you won't regret it!

You may also be interested in:

Are There Any Alternatives to Portable WiFi Hotspots For Travel?

Portable WiFi hotspots are not the only way to stay connected while traveling and you surely have some alternatives. These are most popular ones:

eSIMs , which stands for "embedded SIMs", are like digital SIM cards that are built right into your device . If your phone or tablet supports eSIM technology, you can simply download a local data plan from your destination and activate it when you arrive. No physical SIM card required! This is a great option if you want to avoid carrying extra devices and don't mind using your phone as a hotspot for your other gadgets.

Learn more here:

2. Local SIM Cards

If your phone is unlocked , you can always buy a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination . This gives you access to local data plans, which can be cheaper than international roaming charges . Just pop the SIM card into your phone, and you're ready to go. The only downside is that you'll have a different phone number while you're using the local SIM, which can be confusing for friends and family trying to reach you.

3. Public WiFi

Of course, there's always the old standby: public WiFi. Many cafes, hotels, and airports offer free WiFi to customers , which can be a lifesaver for many travelers who need an internet connection. However, public WiFi can be slow, unreliable, and even insecure if the network isn't properly protected. Plus, you'll need to stay within range of the WiFi signal, which can be limiting if you're on the go.

4. Coworking and Coliving Spaces

If you're a digital nomad or remote worker, coworking and coliving spaces can be a fantastic alternative to portable WiFi hotspots. These spaces are designed specifically for people who need reliable internet and a comfortable place to work while traveling . They often offer high-speed WiFi, dedicated workspaces, and even networking events and community activities . Plus, you'll be surrounded by like-minded travelers and professionals, which can be a great way to make new friends and connections on the road.

Ready To Expand Your Travel Gear with a Portable WiFi Hotspot?

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Did You Know that Your travel SIM Can Power Hotspots?

Very often we receive the question from customers asking if our travel SIM can be used in Hotspot devices and/or Smartphones to power the Mobile Hotspot feature . The answer is yes and yes !

What’s more is we allow you to share your connection with other devices at full speed for no extra charge. Many carriers throttle your connection when using the Mobile Hotspot on your smartphone and connecting other devices to it. These speeds can be as slow as 2G and 3G which virtually prevents streaming and many other apps like WhatsApp and Facetime from operating properly.

We never throttle your data. You can enable your Mobile Hotspot feature on your smartphone and allow all of the devices (think Tablet, Laptop, etc.) connected to the Hotspot to enjoy the same connection speed as your phone… up to full 4G LTE+ .

Shop international travel sim cards on our website.

Best eSIM Hotspot Routers in 2023 (For Remote Work & Travel)

Portable WiFi eSIM routers are must-have travel accessories for people who travel in groups or work while they’re exploring new places. Sure, you can set up an eSIM hotspot without a router, but it will drain your device’s battery faster than you can say ‘router’.

The eSIM hotspot routers I’m about to tell you all about are all pocket-sized, have large batteries, and support 4G at the very least. As long as you pair them with an eSIM that supports high-speed internet access and data sharing, you’ll quickly become the favorite in your travel group thanks to the high-speed WiFi coming out from your pocket.

Top Product Overview

Top products, mogo s2 esim global mobile router.

MOGO S2 is a very good router with eSIM support and many functionalities. It’s a 4G router that supports download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. The router has a battery capacity of 2000mAh, a USB-C port for charging, and it supports wireless charging.

Also, this router has a tiny display on the front that keeps all the important information at a glance. You can see the battery percentage, WiFi speed, data consumption, password, and other important information

However, it works only with MOGO eSIMs. Although the data plans from MOGO are generally inexpensive, the provider doesn’t operate in nearly as many countries as the other providers, so you’d be heavily limited.

Also, MOGO doesn’t offer any unlimited data plans, and for many countries, the largest data package they offer is 10 GB. It might sound like a lot, but if you have 4-5 people browsing TikTok on the WiFi, you can burn through that in a day.

The upside of this design is that you can easily control everything through a single app. The downside is that you’ll have no use for this router in too many countries.

• USB-C charging port
• Fast internet
• Display with important information
• Only supports MOGO eSIMs
• Battery capacity is small

eSunFi eSIM Mobile WiFi Hotspot Router

The eSunFi mobile router supports dual-band WiFi and works in 200+ countries all over the world. It supports both Bluetooth and VPN, and it allows up to 10 devices to be connected to it at the same time.

The router has a USB-C port for quick charging and supports 3G and 4G networks with a maximum WiFi rate of 433 Mbps. It also has a convenient display on the front that offers all the important information at a glance: network speed, password, signal strength, battery percentage, etc.

The downside of this router is that it only works with three eSIM providers: Ubigi, KeepGo, and Links Field. None of those are known as affordable eSIM providers, and although the router is extremely convenient, it’s unlikely to be a money saver because KeepGo and Ubigi have higher prices than most other eSIM providers.

• Dual-band WiFi
• Bluetooth and VPN
• 3G and 4G support
• Supports only 3 eSIM providers

Roam-ON R10 eSim Mifi Router

The Roam-ON R10 router is a very portable 4G router. It has a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh for prolonged battery life, and it can support a connection with up to 5 devices at the same time. The maximum upload speed with this router is 50 Mbps, while the maximum download speed is 150 Mbps.

Additionally, this router also has a slot for a physical SIM card, so it can work with local SIM cards. This is a great way to get coverage in destinations where eSIM is not supported, but also if you want to save money on data packs.

The Roam-ON router only works with eSIM data plans purchased on the company’s website, and those tend to be rather expensive. The cheapest plan is 5.5 Euros per day for just 500 MB of data, which is way too expensive. You’ll need to pay 10 Euros per day for unlimited internet, and that’s not even available in most countries.

• Easy control via the app
• Large battery capacity
• Expensive data plans
• Maximum download speed is 150Mbps

Teltonika Routers

Teltonika is a tech company that manufactures a variety of different internet-related products, including all sorts of routers. This company makes industrial routers that are some of the best on the market, but also some of the most expensive.

This manufacturer offers many routers that support a physical SIM card, and I’ve also seen a version that supports embedded SIMs, but it’s available only upon inquiry. Also, Teltonika routers are not exactly portable or pocket-friendly; not only are they bulky, but they also need to be plugged into an outlet to work.

The upside is that this will probably be the best eSIM router. It should work with any eSIM, but the configuration process won’t be simple. The downside is that the router will cost you a lot of money (regular routers are on sale for $300+), and you can’t actually take it places.

I think this router could be a good solution for van lifers who want an eSIM-compatible router for their home on wheels, but not for travelers who want to have an internet connection while exploring foreign cities on foot.

• Industrial routers
• Physical SIM card support
• eSIM routers available upon inquiry
• Not portable

What Is An eSIM Router & How Does It Work?

An eSIM router is a pocket router with an eSIM chip. It works in the same way as a standard SIM card router but with the benefit of supporting eSIM technology. What this router does is connect to the mobile network provided by the eSIM, and then turn that 4G/5G connection into WiFi that is easily accessible to everyone in your travel group.

Just like with any other WiFi connection, you can set up the name and password for protection. The network speed largely depends on the eSIM data plan you purchase, and I highly recommend referring to our eSIM guides for different countries so you can be certain which network providers offer the best and fastest internet.

Benefits of Using an eSIM Router

If you’ve ever been the designated hotspot sharer during a group trip, I feel your pain. It drains the battery on your smartphone very quickly, so you have to carry around portable chargers lest your phone runs out of battery and you’re left without any internet access.

With a physical SIM card, it’s possible to transfer it to a different device, but this can’t be done with eSIMs.

Another advantage of an eSIM router is that it’s capable of offering a faster internet connection than mobile phones. Well, it depends on the router and the type of network it can connect to, but you can usually get information on the maximum upload and download speeds for each eSIM router.

How to Set Up an eSIM Router

Most eSIM routers have accompanying smartphone apps that let you complete the setup process. The first thing you need to do is purchase data package for the router, which is usually going to be an eSIM from the provider supported by the router.

Unfortunately, you usually have to stick with one or two providers that a specific router supports and it’s usually the providers with the most expensive data plans.

Buy the eSIM plan, but don’t activate it on your phone. When the activation code or instructions arrive, open the app for your eSIM router and find the option to connect to your phone first, usually with Bluetooth.

This should allow you to access the setup of the router, and then you just need to select the option to add an eSIM/data plan/data package and follow the on-screen instructions. Some routers will allow you to scan a QR code, while others might require you to input the eSIM details manually.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an eSIM router

The first thing you should consider when choosing an eSIM router is which eSIM providers it supports. Some providers are better than others, and this is especially important for network coverage in different countries. If you like a router but see that it’s not supported in several of the countries you plan to visit in the near future, there’s no point in buying the router.

Battery is another important factor to consider. Ideally, the router should be able to stay turned on the entire day with multiple connected devices.

Another factor to consider is the type of network supported and maximum WiFi speed. The best routers will support primarily 4G and 5G, but also 2G and 3G as backups. Internet speeds should be at least 150 Mbps for downloads, and I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 50 Mbps for uploads.

Then there’s the number of devices supported. Consider how many people you normally travel with, but also how many devices you plan to use. It’s going to be at least a laptop and a smartphone, right?

Well, if you’re traveling with three other people and all of you want to connect two devices to the router, that’s six devices minimum, so a router that only supports up to 5 simultaneous devices wouldn’t work for you.

Finally, consider whether the router supports a physical SIM card. I know we’re talking primarily about eSIM routers, but the technology is still very much new and expensive. If you get a router that supports physical SIM cards, you can probably save a lot of money by buying and using local SIM cards, instead of purchasing overpriced plans that charge you $70 for just 5 GB of data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use an esim router for international travel.

Yes, you can use an eSIM router for international travel, but not every router will work in every single country. Double-check the restrictions, and make sure that eSIM is supported in the country you are traveling to, to make the most of your eSIM router.

Can I use an eSIM router with a VPN for added privacy & security?

Yes, you can absolutely use an eSIM router with a VPN. Many routers have built-in VPNs for maximum privacy and protection.

What network types can eSIM routers connect to?

It depends on the specific routers. Some routers support everything up to 5G and emit dual-band WiFi, while others support only 3G or 4G, with a single-band WiFi connection.

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Best E-Sim Cards for Traveling to the USA in 2024

Are you planning your trip to the United States and looking for an e-sim card to stay connected? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for traveling to the USA.

In this guide you can find a comparison of the best e-sim cards for the United States, up to date prices as per April 2024, all the USA e-sim card specifications, my recommendation and the advantages and disadvantages of e-sim cards. I will show you where and when to order an e-sim card, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards and of course links to directly order your e-sim card for the United States on the internet.

Already since 2012 I am a full time nomadic travel blogger traveling the world continuously and I constantly get to different countries. Pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card. In 2022 I visited for example 62 different countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries so imagine how many different prepaid and e-sim cards I used over the last two years.

In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use e-sim cards for staying connected when traveling abroad.

Helping fellow travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is how I started writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.

Of course I also wrote a complete guide for buying a tourist sim card for traveling to USA in 2024  and you can also find guides for buying a sim card on arrival at Miami Airport , Newark Airport , New York JFK Airport .

Traveltomtom also wrote specific guides for buying e-sim cards for: Canada ,  Turkey ,  France , Spain , Greece , Germany , Portugal , Italy ,  Europe , Turkey ,  Asia ,  Thailand , China , Australia , Hong Kong , Singapore ,  international e-sim cards  and many more.

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So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your holiday destination.

In this guide about the best e-sim cards for the United States I will tell you everything you need to know about staying connected with an e-sim card when traveling to the USA in 2024. 

First I will give you my recommendation, then a comparison of the best e-sim cards for the USA with up to date prices as per April 2024, explain you how e-sim cards work, more about the network coverage and 4G/5G network, some FAQ about e-sim cards and I will also explain the difference between e-sim cards and local prepaid sim cards.

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends the following e-sim cards for traveling to the USA in 2024:

1. Change e-sim card for the USA from Airalo

• 10 GB data-only e-sim
• Valid in USA only
• Valid for 30 days
• $2.60 USD per Gigabyte

Airalo is the only e-sim card provider that offers USA e-sim cards that support 5G network. For $26 USD you get 10 GB data, for $16 USD you get 5 GB data and for $42 USD you get 20 GB data. Click on the link for all USA e-sim card plans from Airalo.

Click here for more info or to directly order an Airalo e-sim card for traveling in the USA .

2. Three HK e-sim from SimOptions

• 20 GB data-only e-sim
• Valid in USA, Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand
• $1.75 USD per Gigabyte only

SimOptions sells USA e-sim cards that go down as much as $1.75 USD per Gigabyte. There are 2 e-sim cards from Three HK, but the other e-sim gives you only 10 GB data for $24.90 USD best e-sim deal you can find is the e-sim card for $24 USD and you get 20 GB data. These Three HK e-sims that you order via SimOptions are not 5G ready, only 4G/LTE is supported.

The above e-sim cards for the USA are data-only and do NOT support local calls and sms.

If you want an e-sim card for the USA including calls and texting then Traveltomtom recommends looking into buying an e-sim card on arrival in the USA in an official mobile internet store. For $65 USD you get unlimited data, calls & sms in the USA for 30 days. But you can only buy these e-sims in person in the store.

A bummer is that you can NOT buy an e-sim card at any international airport in the USA. You have to locate a phone store nearby your hotel, get in line, bring your passport for registration, etc.

Much more work then just ordering an e-sim card on the internet. It is up to you!

There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an e-sim card for the USA.

Unlocked phones only

Make sure your phone is unlocked. E-sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country. 

In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.

If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or e-sim card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.

E-sim compatible phones only

Second, and equally important: a-sim cards only work if your smartphone supports e-sim cards, also called e-sim compatible. All newer smartphones support e-sim cards. If you are not sure if your phone is e-sim compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is e-sim compatible. You will get the answer instantly.

If your phone is NOT e-sim compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an e-sim card for traveling to the USA. 

However, you can still order a sim card for the United States on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom’s complete guide for buying a sim card for the USA in 2024  or read my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an international sim card for traveling abroad in 2024 .

USA e-sim card comparison for 2024

There are multiple website on the internet that sell e-sim cards for the USA. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for traveling in the USA from one of the well-known e-sim card providers that have proven to be reliable operators.

These are the 3 big e-sim card providers and they sell great USA e-sim card plans: 

You can buy an e-sim card for pretty much every country around the world from the above trusted providers. Order directly from one of the above e-sim card providers and instantly receive your e-sim card in your email. But before you buy an e-sim card first read all my tips below.

SimOptions also offers international prepaid sim cards for USA . These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to America and it is plug and play when you arrive in the US. 

Airalo and Nomad only sell e-sim cards for the USA. 

SimOptions is a very reliable e-sim card provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering your USA e-sim card.

Their best USA e-sim card gives you 20 GB data for $34.90 USD. That is $1.75 USD per Gigabyte. But SimOptions has several e-sim card plans for traveling in the USA in 2024.

Why does Traveltomtom recommend SimOptions? They often have a wide array of e-sim cards for sale, including international e-sim cards valid in multiple countries.

Here are the SimOptions e-sim card plans for use in the USA only:

• 1 GB data for 30 days = $4.9 USD
• 6 GB data for 10 days = $17.9 USD
• 10 GB data for 15 days = $19.9 USD

Click here for more info or to  order a Simoptions e-sim card for the USA .

SimOptions does not specify which network they use in the USA on the above e-sims and they are also NOT 5G ready, only 4G/LTE network is supported. The SimOptions e-sim cards are data-only and they do not come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported.

SimOptions also sells international e-sim cards that are valid in multiple countries. These e-sim cards are from Three Hong Kong and are valid in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and in the USA:

• 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD

Click here to order an international e-sim card for USA from SimOptions . 

The best buy e-sim card for the United States from SimOptions is the Three (3) HK e-sim card. The Three HK international e-sim card with 20 GB data for $34.90 USD comes down to $1.75 USD per Gigabyte.

Also the Three e-sim cards for the United States are the only e-sim cards from all the USA e-sim cards available on the internet that come with a phone number from Hong Kong that starts with +852.

Which means you can receive calls and sms. Making calls and sending sms is not supported.

On the Three e-sim cards from Hong Kong, Traveltomtom readers have recently reported that TikTok is blocked, due to regulations in Hong Kong, as it is a Hong Kong based e-sim card.

The Three e-sim cards are valid for 1 year, meaning you have to install/activate the e-sim card within 1 year. Therefore it could be a perfect travel gift for someone traveling to the USA. Once activated the validity of 30 days start immediately, even if you are not yet in the USA.

Having any problems with a SimOptions e-sim card then contact their helpdesk. SimOptions has a live chat on their website during business hours. For more info check out the SimOptions website .

Airalo is another very reputable e-sim card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your e-sim card for the USA through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest e-sim card deals.

Why using Airalo? I found out that Airalo has sometimes cheaper e-sim card deals compared to SimOptions. 

Especially if you only use a little bit of data while traveling and need just 1 or 2 GB data to stay in touch through WhatsApp, check your email sometimes and get directions from Google Maps, then Airalo is also great e-sim card for traveling in the USA.

Here are the USA e-sim card plans for 2024 from Airalo:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $42 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for USA from Airalo .

The above Change e-sim cards are only valid in the USA (and Puerto Rico) and they operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Verizon and T-Mobile. Big advantage of the Airalo e-sim cards compared to SimOptions and Nomad is that the Airalo e-sim cards for the USA are 5G ready.

The Airalo e-sim cards do NOT support calling and texting and they do NOT come with a phone number. You can not receive calls and text on these e-sim cards.

The USA e-sim cards from Airalo have to be installed/activated on your phone within 1 month after purchase otherwise they lose their validity. After installing, the e-sim cards starts its validity from the first moment when it connects to a supported network, basically the moment the plane lands. For more info check out the Airalo website .

Nomad has proven to be a reliable e-sim provider and ever since Traveltomtom started using them they have improved their service, products and very important their e-sim card deals.

Nomad has now some of the cheapest e-sim card plans for traveling to the United States in 2024.

Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for the USA:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD

Click here to order an e-sim card for USA from Nomad .

Nomad always has a lot of e-sim card deals and sales on their e-sim card plans. At the moment it looks great to buy an e-sim from Nomad for traveling to the USA in 2024.

However, Traveltomtom has also ran into some concerning issues with Nomad e-sim cards that has put me a bit off to be honest. In general you should not run into problems, but I was unfortunate already 3x and had to wait for about 24 hours until my issues were resolved.

All the Nomad e-sim card plans for the USA are from eSIM Go and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of AT&T and Verizon. These eSIM Go plans are NOT 5G ready and are data-only sim cards. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

The Nomad USA e-sim cards have to be installed/activated on your phone within 1 month after purchase otherwise they are automatically activated. After installing, the e-sim cards starts its validity from the first moment when it connects to a supported network, basically the moment the plane lands in the USA. For more info check the Nomad website .

An e-sim card from T-Mobile can only be bought on arrival in the USA and only in an official store of T-Mobile. The activation fee for a new costumer is $10 USD and on top of that T-Mobile charges another $4.99 USD for an e-sim card and then you can choose from one of the following plans excluding tax:

• 10 GB data = $40 USD
• Unlimited data + 3G hotspot = $50 USD
• Unlimited data + 10 GB 4G hotspot = $60 USD

The good thing about buying a T-Mobile e-sim card on arrival in the USA in a phone store is that it comes with unlimited calling and texting in the USA.

Again, a T-Mobile e-sim card is not available online, only in stores in the USA.

An e-sim card from AT&T can only be bought on arrival in the USA and only in an official store of AT&T. The activation fee for a new costumer is $14.99 USD and on top of that AT&T charges another $4.99 USD for an e-sim card and then you can choose from one of the following plans excluding tax:

• 5 GB data = $30 USD
• 15 GB data = $40 USD
• Unlimited calls/sms and data = $65 USD

The good thing about buying an AT&T e-sim card on arrival in the USA in a phone store is that it comes with unlimited calling and texting in the USA.

Again, an AT&T e-sim card is not available online, only in stores in the USA.

An e-sim card from Verizon can only be bought on arrival in the USA and only in an official store of Verizon. Verizon offer 3 prepaid plans for tourists that are available as e-sim cards. These are the prices exclusive tax:

• 15 GB data + unlimited calls/sms = $45 USD
• Unlimited calls/sms and data + 5 GB hotspot = $60 USD
• Unlimited calls/sms and data + 25 GB hotspot = $70 USD

The official registration fee for a Verizon prepaid plan is $25 USD, but is waived away often. A Verizon e-sim card is not available online, only in stores in the USA.

Why did Traveltomtom already use hundreds of e-sim cards? I travel the world full time and I am on the road constantly which seriously means I use about 40 to 50 different sim cards per year.

Traveltomtom is also on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world . As of April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still more than 40 to go and there is absolutely no rush!

Personally, traveling is not supposed to be a race or a competition. Enjoy life should be the spirit!

What is the cheapest e-sim card for the USA

The cheapest e-sim card plan for America is a USA e-sim card from Airalo . They have a sim card plan for just $4.5 USD. You only get 1 GB, but for some travelers that is enough. Especially if you only need it for directions and staying in touch through WhatsApp. Top Up is possible, may you run out.

Why ordering an e-sim card for traveling in the USA

E-sim cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to USA in 2024. You arrange everything online in just a couple minutes. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards in your phone. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.

The most important reason is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to USA. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app (Uber is Grab in USA), finding nearby friends, restaurants, bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply stay in touch with family back home, check out social media apps on long bus rides or check your banking apps when paying contactless.

One of the best things about arriving in the USA with an activated e-sim card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands and you connect to a network. More about when to instal your e-sim card later. 

There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to the USA, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to USA so much more convenient and fun!

At the same time we don’t want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $2 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 25 MB * $2 USD = $50 USD! Not kidding… it still is reality in 2024.

E-sim cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!

International data roaming plans

So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed, but there is 5G in the USA everywhere!

Uncountable times (mostly American) travel friends asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an e-sim card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling abroad .

Where to buy an e-sim card for USA?

You can only buy an e-sim card for USA on the internet through an e-sim card provider. There are multiple e-sim card providers for the USA. Traveltomtom compared 6 e-sim card providers and determined that the above mentioned ones ( SimOptions ,  Airalo ,  Nomad ) are the best e-sim card providers for traveling to USA in 2024.

None of the mobile internet operators in the USA sell tourist e-sim cards on their own websites. 

When buying an e-sim card for the USA through one of the above recommended e-sim providers you only need your email address and the e-sim card is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed. 

On arrival in USA

When you arrive in the USA and you want to buy an e-sim card for tourists then you will have to find an official retail store of either T-Mobile or AT&T nearby and you will have to go in person to buy an e-sim card in the USA. In the store you can buy a tourist sim card and only in the official retail stores of AT&T and T-Mobile they are able to provide e-sim cards for tourists.

But keep in mind that this takes time and it is NOT cheaper at all! It is in fact even more expensive, hence why Traveltomtom recommends to order your e-sim card for traveling in the USA online.

For the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in the USA in 2024  click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in USA, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.

How to activate an e-sim card

Installing and activating an e-sim card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an e-sim card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email.

When you order an e-sim card plan for the USA you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.

You will see a summary of your e-sim card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your USA e-sim card.

But installing an activating an e-sim card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the e-sim card on. The QR contains all the information about your USA e-sim card.

Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your e-sim card is successfully installed. Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your e-sim card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.

Tip: if you order an e-sim card with the same phone where you want to instal the e-sim card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation. 

When to order/install an e-sim card for the USA?

You can order an e-sim card for USA pretty much any time you want. Most e-sim cards have to be installed on a phone within 1-3 months after purchasing, so you have time.

More important therefore is when do you instal the e-sim card. The validity of some e-sims start straight after the installation, other e-sim cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.

Traveltomtom advices to instal your e-sim card on the day departure to the USA at home. Or if you want to maximise your validity then activate your USA e-sim card on arrival after you connect to the free WiFi of the airport on arrival in the USA. All international airports in the USA have free public WiFi.

Things to know before ordering an e-sim card for USA

Here are some general tips for using e-sim cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for USA e-sim cards, but are things you have to know before buying an e-sim card in general. 

Make sure your phone is unlocked

To make sure you didn’t miss this, let me say this again: e-sim cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any e-sim card without any problems.

If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to USA. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone. 

If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a pocket WiFi for staying connected when traveling to the USA or bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to the USA and use it as a portable WiFi device.

Which smartphones support e-sim cards?

Another very important thing you have to check before buying an e-sim card is if your smartphone supports e-sim cards. If you have any of the latest mobile phones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones support e-sim cards. 

The fastest way to find out if your phone is e-sim compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) e-sim compatible? Simple as that!

Can I trust these e-sim card providers?

All the e-sim card providers for USA recommended above ( SimOptions ,  Airalo ,  Nomad ) are reputable e-sim card providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in the USA.

Traveltomtom has successfully partnered for several consecutive years with SimOptions and Airalo. Nomad is a fairly new partner of Traveltomtom, but has so far proven to be a reliable e-sim card provider. All e-sim card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund. 

Traveltomtom does NOT sell USA e-sim cards, only recommends you to use e-sim cards for traveling to the USA.

Can I keep my phone number from home with a USA e-sim card?

Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an e-sim card to stay connected when traveling to the USA. An e-sim card can be used next to your physical or e-sim card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an e-sim card.

So you can have multiple e-sim cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all! 

For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. The USA e-sim card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.

If your USA e-sim card also allows you to make phone calls and you want to make a local call in USA, you simply switch between the sim cards and make a local phone call with your USA e-sim card.

Switching between sim cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. 

Can I make phone calls with a USA e-sim card?

This depends on the type of USA e-sim card that you buy. The Traveltomtom recommended e-sim cards for the USA do NOT support calls and sms, see the above comparison for specifications of every e-sim card. There are few e-sim card providers on the internet that offer USA e-sim cards including calling and texting. Traveltomtom has never tried these specific e-sim cards.

As recommended before if you are looking for an e-sim card for the USA including unlimited calls and sms to local numbers then buy your e-sim card on arrival in the USA in an official phone store from either T-Mobile or AT&T. More hassle, more expensive, but calls and texting is included in these e-sims.

Does a USA e-sim card come with a phone number?

This also depends on the type of e-sim card that you buy. E-sims that support calls and sms they come with a phone number, but also some data-only sim cards that do not support calling and texting but still come with a phone number. These type of e-sim cards can only receive calls and sms, but not make phone calls/send sms.

The Three HK and the AIS Sim2FLY e-sim cards from SimOptions they come with a phone number and therefore these e-sim cards for the USA support incoming phone calls and sms, but unfortunately not outgoing phone calls and sms. In the above USA e-sim card comparison you can find all the specifications per e-sim card.

Can I use 5G on a USA e-sim card?

It completely depends on the type of e-sim card that you order. In my comparison of the best e-sim cards for the USA I specified per e-sim card if you can use 5G or only the 4G/LTE network. Sometimes e-sim operators even specify the max data speed.

Are there e-sim cards for the USA with unlimited data?

Traveltomtom is in general not a fan of data sim cards with unlimited data. Why? Well, there is always a restriction, mostly called FUP (Fair Use Policy). Sometimes that is already 2 GB data per day, which means that after 2 GB usage your internet will be slowed down. Other e-sim cards have a FUP of 30, 50, 80 GB data. It depends on the e-sim card specification.

In general, unlimited data is pretty much never unlimited data at max speed. And trust me the reduced data speed will creep you out as it barely works!

So yes, there are e-sim cards for the USA with unlimited data but always read the fine print for more details, terms & conditions. The recommended e-sim card providers by Traveltomtom do NOT offer e-sim cards for the USA with unlimited data. No hidden fees, no Fair Use Policy. Clear terms & conditions!

Holafly is an e-sim card provider that sells e-sim cards with unlimited data, but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP).

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend USA e-sim cards with unlimited data plans. There are always restrictions. And on Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. When I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.

Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media apps were not even loading! 

Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend e-sim cards for USA with unlimited data. But if you think you will not use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite e-sim card. However, what is then the point of having an e-sim card with unlimited data, right?

For truly unlimited data on an USA e-sim card it is best to buy your e-sim card in person, in store in the USA. Go to a T-Mobile or AT&T retail store for these sim card deals or check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for the USA in 2024 . 

There are a lot of different specifications per e-sim card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to USA in 2024.

Best way to stay connected when traveling to USA

E-sim cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to USA, but are they also the best way to stay connected when traveling to the USA?

There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to USA: 

Local prepaid sim cards

International prepaid sim cards, e-sim cards.

Let’s compare e-sim cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards for you to make understand what is your preferred way to stay connected. 

If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are probably the cheapest way to stay connected depending on the length of your trip. Local prepaid sim cards often offer bigger data plans than e-sim cards. However, local prepaid sim cards can only be purchased on arrival in the USA.

If this sounds like something you want then prepare to find a sim card store on arrival because buying a sim card for the USA on an international airport is very overpriced or often not even possible. 

On Traveltomtom you can also find sim card guides for: Miami Airport , Newark Airport , New York JFK Airport .

More info about the best USA sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a sim card for USA in 2024.

The advantage of local prepaid sim cards is that you buy them directly from the mobile internet provider. You get the cheapest prices, unlimited local calls & sms included, the biggest data packages and the fastest data speed. Local prepaid sim cards in USA all offer 5G. 

If your smartphone is not e-sim compatible there are many international prepaid sim cards for traveling abroad that you can use in the USA and you can easily order them online.

A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play! 

Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for USA directly online .

The advantage of an international prepaid sim card is that it often includes calling and texting. E-sim cards are mostly data-only sim cards. 

There are two different e-sim cards:

• E-sim cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
• E-sim cards that you buy in the USA in a mobile internet provider store 

The big difference is that e-sim cards provided by the mobile internet operators in the USA: T-Mobile and AT&T can only be purchased at one of their phone stores around the USA.

The e-sim cards that you buy in the United States include unlimited texting and sms in the USA and e-sim cards that you buy on the internet do NOT support calling and texting.

However, on arrival in the United States you will need to find a T-Mobile or AT&T phone store, wait in line, bring your passport for registration, buy a sim card, pay the registration fee and convert it into an e-sim. Precious holiday time will be lost, but on the other hand you get a great USA sim card deal for tourists with unlimited calling and texting included.

You can NOT buy an e-sim card for the USA on arrival at an international airport in the United States.

E-sim cards vs. local prepaid sim cards

Buying an e-sim card on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to USA, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now if you want and you are all set for your trip to the USA. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.

But what is cheaper? An e-sim card or a local prepaid sim card? When we compare USA e-sim card prices with local prepaid sim cards for USA Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that in fact e-sim cards for the USA are better value for money.

On USA e-sim cards you get more data for the same price. However, if you want a sim card for traveling in the USA with unlimited data or you want a sim card that includes calling and texting in the USA then buying a local prepaid sim card in the USA is a better deal.

After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. Especially since in the USA there are no sim card stores at the international airports.

Therefore a lot of travelers simply get an e-sim card for the USA. Faster, easier and less stress!

Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an e-sim card is that e-sim cards are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.

This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that e-sim cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an e-sim cards is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.

Bottomline: the data speed of e-sim cards can be less compared to a local prepaid sim card. 

I am sure some of the above tips for finding an e-sim card for your trip to the USA were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison of the best e-sim cards for America it was easier to make a decision and order your e-sim card right away. 

If you still have any questions then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.

Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 610K Instagram account or 1.2 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.

Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world . As of April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.

Enjoy your trip to USA!

Some links in this article about the best e-sim cards for the USA are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

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TravelSim has more than 4.5 million users worldwide

Travel eSIMs are effortless to set up

• 1 Check to make sure your device is eSIM compatible
• 2 Choose your destinations, data and credit
• 3 Install your eSIM via the QR code
• 4 Top-up your eSIM whilst traveling

Sometimes known as electronic SIM cards, eSIM actually stands for embedded SIM. As the name suggests, this means that SIM functionality can now be integrated directly into the device, rather than a separate card needing to be inserted.

In case you have the eSIM capable phone or tablet, you can use an eSIM instead of the regular physical SIM card.

TravelSim SIM cards come with a European number, starting with +372.

You have also the possibility to buy the US number as an alternative number for an international eSIM.

All the data plans need to be activated beforehand on your My Account page.

Activate your data plan  here  with just one click.    Please bear in mind that if you do not activate your purchased data plan, your internet usage will be per MB and your credit could run out quickly.  You may wish to activate your data plan before your trip – and, if so, just bear in mind the timespan for which your data plan is valid.

TravelSim airtime/credit lasts one year (12 months) from your last recharge/top-up. Your eSIM card will stay “live” as long as you recharge/top up once a year.

You can add credit easily  online  at any time. You simply have to choose whether you would like to add some airtime or a data plan and make the payment (via credit card, PayPal or other payment methods). After successful payment, your airtime is added to your SIM card.

When you add a new data plan,  please note that you still have to activate your data plan before the actual usage . Otherwise, you will use data per MB and your credit will run out more quickly.

Steps to add data plan.

• Go to “My Account” area
• Choose a data plan
• Make payment
• Activate the data plan  here  when you would like to start using it.

Please note, that if you have installed eSIM into one device, you can´t install the same eSIM (use the same QR code) into another phone or device. You have to order a new eSIM for another device, even if you have deleted the eSIM from the first device.

This eSIM includes unlimited data for the contracted time. However, we reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy, as it applies to all other network users. The normal usage estimation is 90GB of data in a month, which makes 45GB per 14 days. You can use up to 25GB of data without any speed limitations. From 25 to 50 GB we may reduce the speed to between 256-1024KB to avoid affecting other users. This limitation is intended to prevent network saturation. We reserve the right to close the data consumption that exceeds the normal usage, above 50GB per 14 days. If you do not agree with all of these terms and conditions, then you are prohibited from using the service, and you must discontinue use immediately.

Yes, you can use Wi-Fi Hotspot with Unlimited Data plan and with all other Travelsim data plans.

Here are all the countries you can travel to when you select this data plan:

• Russian Federation
• South Korea
• Dominican Republic
• Czech Republic
• Faroe Islands
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City
• United States
• El Salvador
• Congo Democratic Republic
• South Africa
• Philippines
• New Zealand
• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Netherlands Antilles
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• St Kitts and Nevis
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
• Turks and Caicos Islands