Getting internet access abroad used to mean choosing between an eye-watering roaming bill or hunting down a local SIM shop with your jet-lagged brain. It's gotten a lot simpler — here's what actually works.
eSIMs: The Default Choice Now
Most phones from the last several years support eSIMs — a digital SIM you can install before you even leave home, activated the moment you land. No shop visit, no swapping a physical card, no keeping track of a tiny tray tool. Buy a data plan for your destination country (or a regional plan covering several), and it's ready before takeoff.
When a Physical Local SIM Still Wins
If you're staying somewhere a month or more, a local SIM from a carrier store is often cheaper long-term and gives you a local number, which matters for things like ride-hailing apps or hotel bookings.
Not every phone supports eSIM, and some carriers lock devices to specific networks — check compatibility before you count on it.
What to Actually Set Up Before You Leave
Buy the eSIM plan (or note the SIM shop you'll visit) before departure, and change your phone's default data settings so it doesn't automatically fall back to expensive roaming the moment you land. Message your home carrier about a low-cost travel add-on too, as a backup in case your primary plan has issues.
"The goal isn't unlimited data — it's just enough to navigate, translate, and stay reachable without dread at the end of the trip."
Wi-Fi Still Has a Place
Hotels, cafes, and airports cover a lot of ground for free — save your data plan for the moments in between, like navigating on foot or translating a menu, rather than streaming video on it.
A Simple Rule
For trips under two weeks across one or two countries: an eSIM with a regional data plan. For a month or more in one place: a local SIM once you land. Either way, turn off roaming before you board the first flight.
Planning a multi-country trip?
We'll flag exactly what connectivity setup makes sense for your route.