I sometimes wonder how on earth I managed travelling the world without a mobile phone. When I first moved abroad to live in London on a working holiday I was totally reliant on a landline or public phone booth to keep in contact with family and friends and to get work from my agency. Today, wifi and data are my lifeline for my travelling lifestyle. I use them for everything – paying for stuff, booking accommodation, keeping in touch with family and friends and sharing on social media. In this post I’ll help you to understand what Sims and eSims are, why they are great for international travel and which are the best SIMS and eSIMS for travel.
In the early days of my solo travels in the 1980s I didn’t know what cellular data was – no one did! So let’s start at the beginning, and by the end of this post, you’ll know everything about SIMS and eSIMs. Then you can make the appropriate choice between the two to keep yourself connected (if you want to) while you travel abroad.
What is a Physical Sim and an eSim?
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What is a Physical SIM?
A physical SIM (subscriber identity module) card is that card that goes in your mobile phone. It plays an important role in your phone and without one, it won’t work. Basically a physical SIM has been designed to connect the phone to mobile phone networks. It also authenticates you as the subscriber by having a phone number and it stores information such as phone directories, messages and ensures you are accurately billed for the services you use.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM (subscriber identity module)) is a digital version of the physical SIM card. Most newer cell phones these days are eSIM compatible meaning, a digital SIM card is built directly into your mobile device.
Physical SIM vs eSIM
Both physical SIMs and eSIMs have a place in our busy lives. There are advantages and disadvantages to using both. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the best SIMs and eSIMS for travel:
Pros of a Physical SIM
- A physical SIM provides you with access to the local network.
Cons of a Physical SIM
- A physical SIM can get damaged, lost or even stolen.
- You need to get a physical SIM from a physical store. Or have it mailed to you when you need to switch networks of different countries.
- Physical SIMs are not compatible in every country, meaning you need to purchase a different SIM for different countries/areas.
- Swapping SIM cards can be cumbersome. Finding a local SIM in a foreign country might not always be straightforward and you may have to deal with people speaking a different language to you – which could cause some confusion.
Pros of eSIMS
- You do not need to visit a physical store to get one. You can purchase online making an eSIM more convenient, particularly if you arrive at an airport in another country at an awkward time of day and the kiosk selling SIM cards aren’t open. eSIMS can be set up in advance so you can have access as soon as you land in a new place. Activation can be seamless and can be done by scanning a QR code, clicking on an email or done through an app – how easy is this!
- eSIMs are safe from physical damage because they aren’t physical but digital.
- eSIMs eliminate the need for swapping cards when changing networks/phone numbers when changing countries, making this extremely attractive and beneficial for travelers, as it allows you to switch between local carriers seamlessly.
- There are cost savings using an eSIM. Traditional roaming charges can add up quickly, but eSIMS offer competitive rates for international data and calls. You can choose plans that align with your calling and data needs providing you with flexibility.
- Flexibility to choose your carrier and to choose your plan for the length of time you require it. Only need a week-long plan, maybe a month? You can purchase a plan for the length of time you will be traveling in the country and, you can extend it.
- Some eSIM-enabled devices allow you to have multiple phone numbers on a single device. This is great for digital nomads who might want to keep work separate to play!
- You can even get multi-device connectivity through hotspot use.
- eSIM technology is very eco-friendly as the manufacturing process and disposal of plastic SIM cards is eliminated.
- eSIMs offer robust security features more so than physical SIMS. The technology uses encryption to protect your data and ensure a secure connection.
Cons of eSIMS
- At this time, the technology is new and not fully embraced by all countries/areas but this should change as eSIM technology is embraced.
Choosing an eSIM
Not all countries have eSIM technology, nor the infrastructure in place however, some countries are embracing the technology more so than others. Before traveling, check your device’s compatibility:
- Is your device eSIM-enabled and unlocked.
- Do you fully own the phone as you may not be able to get an eSIM if your current phone plan includes payments for your phone.
- Does your device require a carrier-specific eSIM?
As you have read, there are many benefits of using eSIMs for international travel. If your phone is compatible, then you could purchase an eSIM for your travels. If not, you can purchase a physical SIM card in the country/area of your travels. Some countries embracing eSIMS are countries in Asia, Europe and South America.
Are You Ready to Stay Connected with the best SIMs or eSIMs for travel?
Staying connected while traveling internationally is more important than ever, but no longer needs to be difficult or stressful. When I first started travelling solo, mobile phones weren’t around! But like many, I have embraced technology – no more standing in queues for me to make a phone call from inside a big red London phone booth! With the information I have provided in this post, you can now make an informed decision as to how you will stay connected as your travel, live and work abroad.
Check out the best SIMs and eSIMs for travel available here
this is very helpful. I was actually looking into e-sims last year before my trip to Morocco, but got confused. Your article makes it very clear 🙂