I was recently quoted by CNBC discussing ways to evade roaming fees when traveling abroad. Two simple approaches are to utilize T-Mobile as your primary provider if you are in the USA or Europe, or to constantly rely on Wi-Fi with roaming disabled. However, if those alternatives are not practical, you should consider obtaining the best eSIM for your international travel needs.
An eSIM is the updated iteration of the traditional SIM card that you used to switch out in your phone if you lacked a roaming package with your standard mobile provider. Now, this “Subscriber Identity Module” can be set up digitally, eliminating the need to open your phone or seek assistance from a “genius” at a store if you own an iPhone.
Your phone must be unlocked beforehand, so ensure that’s the case prior to signing up. If you are on a payment plan for the device, your carrier may keep it locked until it is fully paid off. You can check this in your settings. Most of these plans typically offer data-only services, meaning your home carrier may still charge you for calls or texts if you’re out and about rather than connected to Wi-Fi.
In practical terms, you sign up with an eSIM provider, download their application, and pay for your desired plan. Then, upon arrival in the country where you intend to use it, you activate it and start utilizing that for your data roaming instead of your regular carrier. This choice can significantly reduce your expenses if you utilize carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, Telus, or Telcel in your home country.
These carriers generally impose a fee of $5 to $10 per day for international roaming set up beforehand, while an eSIM provider allows you to reduce that to about one or two dollars a day in most regions, perhaps even less if you’re not streaming videos, playing online games, or uploading many photos.
Not all plans are identical, so review the list below to identify the best eSIM plan for your needs. Some include phone calls, most do not. Some can be activated through the cellular network, while others necessitate a Wi-Fi connection for activation. Some encompass multiple countries under one plan, others require a new plan for each country.
Saily
If privacy and security are your priorities, Saily is the top eSIM choice since it is associated with NordVPN. Security is a significant aspect of their service, assuring you that your information remains secure while using a mobile connection. It blocks harmful websites for you, and if you opt for Google (which tracks your every action) instead of Duck Duck Go (which does not), you can disable tracking for that search engine and other sites that try to place cookies on your device.
Saily also has a major edge over others: you can activate it as soon as you arrive at your destination without needing to connect to Wi-Fi first. This means you can check your email while still seated on the plane at the gate. Additionally, you can add countries to your existing plan without starting anew, so if your travels take you to three different countries in Asia over two weeks, it’s less of a hassle with Saily compared to some alternatives.
This company currently provides some of the most competitive prices available and offers my readers an exclusive discount. Use the code NOMADICO to receive 10% off your purchase! Click here to view pricing, but here are some one-month rate examples, with the list price for 10GB over a 30-day period:
Thailand: $11
Europe (35 countries): $36
South Africa: $25
Mexico: $40
Airalo
Airalo was established in 2019 in Singapore and has captured the largest market share to date. It has gained popularity due to extensive marketing efforts. It is recognized for offering some of the most affordable plans and a user-friendly app, although there are some complaints regarding slow customer service. It does require a Wi-Fi connection for activation upon arrival.
This company claims to serve over 200 countries, which exceeds the number of countries recognized by the UN, suggesting they may be counting certain territories as well. Unlike several others, they also provide plans that include voice and text, so you won’t have to wait until connected to Wi-Fi to make a call if you choose this option. Pricing examples are below; see more details here.
Thailand: $18
Europe (42 countries): $37
South Africa: $25
Mexico: $23
GigSky
GigSky has been operating since 2010, having been founded in California, making it no recent newcomer. It is known for its excellent integration with Apple devices and is regarded as the top eSIM choice if you want to remain connected.