You’re getting ready to travel and you’re thrilled. You’ve planned out your timeframe, you’ve nailed down your destination, and you probably know what activities you’re going to do. But then all the fun logistics come to a screeching halt. How are you going to stay connected to all your friends and family back home? How about your travel buddies? What are you going to do when you need to access maps, find restaurants, or translate signs?
Don’t stress—we know just the technology for you. Presenting: eSIMs!
What are eSIMs?
Even if you aren’t technologically savvy, you’ve probably heard of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. SIM cards are small physical cards in your mobile device which connect you to your network (such as Verizon or T-Mobile) so you can use your data. eSIMs are essentially the same thing, just digital.
Why should you use eSIMs?
eSIMs are especially useful to international travelers because they allow you to connect to foreign network services. This often makes paying for an eSIM less expensive than buying an international plan or simply accepting the roaming charges on your current plan. Another benefit of eSIMs is that you can have multiple service plans on a single device. This makes it easy to switch your new card on when you get to your destination and off again when you make it home. Without a digital SIM, you would need to physically remove the card and change your settings.
One clear downside to eSIMs is that not all phones are eSIM compatible. However, if your phone is relatively new—think post-2018—then it will likely support eSIM technology.
How can you get an eSIM?
Need to know where you should look for your eSIM? While we can’t vouch for any of the following companies in particular, they all report high satisfaction ratings. Some popular companies include Saily, Airalo, Jetpac, and Holafly. If none of those sound appealing to you, a simple Google search will bring up more companies, as well as a comparison of the best plans available at the moment.
What are the alternatives?
If the thought of a digital SIM card isn’t up your alley, it is possible to buy a new physical SIM card when you land at your new destination. It’s important to note that this may not work with your current phone because some companies have opted to use only eSIMs for their most recent models. Research ahead of time to see if this is the case for your device.
Staying connected on the go is more important—and easier—than ever before. Whether through an eSIM or something else, we wish you the best of luck in finding the right fit for your travels.