Should Travelers Use eSIMs? International Travel E-sim How To and Tips

It was early in 2023 when we realized: eSIMs are a game changer.

After testing connectivity options across five continents – including local SIM cards, international phone plans, and portable WiFi devices – we’ve fully switched to using eSIMs for our own international travel (and haven’t looked back).

Inside our membership, we get a lot of questions about staying connected abroad. Travelers are wondering:
Should I use an eSIM for my trip?

The short answer: for most travelers, yes.

But it depends on your trip, your phone, and how you plan to use data.

Read on to learn:
– The benefits of eSIMs for travelers
– When they make sense and when they don’t
– How to use an eSIM and important tips based on our real-world experience

Updated: April 2026. Originally published: February 2023.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. We received complimentary eSIM plans from Airalo and Nomad in order to test their services. All opinions are our own.

Why eSIMs are great for travelers

In the following short video, we share the key highlights and important things to know about using eSIMs for travel.

Because our smartphones have become our most essential travel device, it’s necessary these days to have a data connection, especially when we’re somewhere unfamiliar.

Benefits of eSIMs 

• No need to find a SIM card shop after arrival
• Get connected immediately when you land
• Purchase and install from anywhere (before your trip)
• No language barriers or in-person setup required
• No physical SIM card to lose or swap
• Easy to switch between plans or providers
• Works well for multi-country trips
• Track and manage data usage through an app
• No long-term contracts

Before we started using eSIMs, we always had to hunt for airport WiFi as soon as we landed in a new country. Then we’d try to find a local SIM card.

Sometimes it’s easy, like in parts of Southeast Asia where kiosks are set up right at the airport. But other times, the local SIM card option meant navigating language barriers, visiting multiple shops, and figuring out confusing plan top-up instructions.

Once, despite confirming the cancellation of our SIM card plan at the phone shop in person (completely in Spanish, mind you), we received “collection” emails on behalf of the foreign phone company for months saying Michelle still owed $1.60! 

E-SIMs solve a lot of those pain points.

Because they’re fully digital, you can purchase a data plan ahead of time (in English), install it on your phone in minutes, and have everything ready before your trip. 

For us, a huge advantage is landing with data already working. We can immediately book a ride, check maps, or message someone as soon as we arrive.

TIP: If you’re a Toolkit member or have the WorldWide Connectivity course, review the modules on eSIM Best Practices and Managing Data Usage to get the most out of your eSIM!

What are eSIMs?

This is not a tech blog so I’m not going to use confusing terminology. I want to make sure that when my mom reads this post, I can meet her where she’s at.

Short answer: an eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card. Remember those?

Sim cards are physical cards that hold specific cellular information so that your phone could work on a specific network.

Every SIM card is assigned a phone number and works on a specific network.

This means if I have the phone number 123-456-7890 and have a T-mobile SIM card, I can take that SIM card and insert it into any other compatible, unlocked phone. Then anyone can call me at 123-456-7890, regardless of what phone I use.

Again, SIM cards are physical. There are different sizes and your phone will require a specific size.

Thanks to evolving technology, we now have eSIMs – a digital version – which can be added to smartphones that have the eSIM feature.

E-SIM technology started to arrive in phones back in 2016.

Check out this comprehensive list of what smartphones have eSIM capability.

Your eSIM connects to local partner networks, so coverage can vary by location.

What is required of my smartphone to use eSIMS for travel?

1. You’ll need a smartphone that has eSIM capability.

Most newer phones (circa 2018) are, and you can do a quick web search to check if your specific phone has eSIM capability.

2. Your phone needs to be unlocked.

Because eSIMs work with different networks (outside of your home carrier), you’ll need your phone to be unlocked. This usually means that you’ve fully paid off your phone (no ongoing payment plans) and went through an unlock process with your carrier.

Again, a quick web search on “how to unlock my phone with [insert name of your carrier]” will give you the steps you need to do this.

You cannot take advantage of eSIMs for travel if you do not meet these two requirements. 

Cost Comparison of eSIMs vs. International Phone Plans

When traveling, you get better value using an eSIM than going with your regular cellular network.

If you use a US cellular company and try to look at international data plans, you’ll be amazed at the limited availability and how much they cost. It’s expensive for very little data.

Compared to getting an international SIM card or eSIM, US phone company international plans almost always cost more.

Here’s an example comparison between T-Mobile (my US cellular network) vs. Arailo and Nomad, two eSIM companies. For this example we’ll consider options for data access in Vietnam for 30 days:

*Only one country included in plan.
**Regional plan. Airalo offers access to 13 18 SE Asian countries.
***Regional plan. Nomad offers access to 6 SE Asian countries + Australia and New Zealand.

As you can see above, it’s not even close!

T-Mobile wants you to pay more, limits you to one country, giving you less data and less time to use it.

Check out Airalo travel eSIMs here >

How To Use eSIMs

I’m not going to lie here. I don’t know the technical aspects that make this magic happen.

All I know is how to get it to work for us while we travel:

• Go to an eSIM company’s website OR download their app.
• Find the plan you want and make your purchase using a credit card.
• You’ll need to create an account and login.
• Follow the instructions sent in the confirmation email (or the app) to install the eSIM to your phone.
• Activate the plan using the app when you’re ready to use it. This initial activation requires being connected to WiFi.
• Go to the cellular settings on your phone and select the apps that you want to your new plan to work with.
• Start using your phone like you normally would.*

Common eSIM mistakes to avoid

• Activating too early
• Not checking phone compatibility
• Running out of data mid-trip
• Not turning off the home SIM card

*See our tips section on best practices later in this post.

Once the eSIM is set up, track your data usage and adjust your app data settings as needed.

For example, I started off by not giving Instagram of Facebook access to my eSIM Asia data plan. Then, having used it for a couple of weeks and noticing I had plenty of data left in my timeline, I turned data for those apps back on.

How we used eSIMs on our Southeast Asia Trip

When we were planning our trip for Southeast Asia, we knew we would be in Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. Not wanting to pay for individual data plans, we were looking for an Asia eSIM. Thankfully these exist!

We tried using eSIMs from Airalo and Nomad. Both offered region-based plans (in addition to individual country-specific plans).

Both companies had a SE Asia region eSIM that covered the places we would be visiting. In the past, we would buy a physical SIM in each country, but no more!

On my phone, I’m able to use two cellular/data networks at once. It can either be two active eSIMs OR the combination of one eSIM and a regular SIM card.

This means I have two phone plans active on one phone, at the same time. Additionally, for data usage, I can set which apps use which specific data from any of my active SIMs.

Example: While traveling in SE Asia, I am using my eSIM from T-Mobile with my US phone number AND I’ve downloaded and installed an eSIM from a travel eSIM company.

My current T-Mobile plan gives me unlimited data at 2G speeds along with free texting to the US. Thanks, T-Mobile!

The downside is 2G is painfully slow. Bummer, T-Mobile!

2G speeds are enough to download and reply to some emails, ask Google a question using a browser, or lightly use Google Maps (if you’ve downloaded an offline map). It’s terrible for downloading and uploading content – unusable for social media, streaming, etc.

Thanks to the Asialink eSIM from Airalo, I’m able to keep using my regular T-Mobile data plan for my US phone number, which I use mainly for texting. AND I can use the eSIM data for all other apps (Chrome, Gmail, Google maps, Facebook, Instagram, etc.).

They both work at the same time. As mentioned before, you can select which apps use data from which eSIM in your phone settings.

Important note: eSIM data plans don’t often come with a phone number. This isn’t a deal breaker for us, but it’s something to be aware of. We’ll talk about alternative calling options later in the post.

Using your phone as a mobile hotspot: Another reason why Digital Nomads love eSIMs

Our livelihoods as digital nomads are connected (pun intended) to our internet connection.

One of the top advantages to using a cellular data network compared to a WIFI network is that your coverage is a lot more vast.

WIFI networks are meant to cover small square areas. They are strong within that certain area.

Cellular networks cover vast areas. Though they will never be as fast as WIFI or LAN connections, cell networks can get you connected to the internet in more locations.

For example, if we wanted to do work on a beach in Vietnam or Thailand, we could use the eSIM data plan and turn on the mobile hotspot feature on our phone.

With the mobile hotspot, we can connect a laptop or tablet to our phone as if it were a wifi router and then get some work done.

Should we expect blazing fast performance? No.

Is our work time in this scenario limited to the battery life on our phone running as a hotspot? Yes.

This is just an example of how one could use a mobile hotspot setup with an eSIM data plan.

As we’ve traveled in different countries (or even at home in the US), the power can go out and so too, the WIFI connection.

Our back up plan when we lose wifi has been the data plans on our cellphones, using that mobile hotspot for data connection.

Tips for using an eSIM while traveling

Purchasing regional plans vs. individual country plans 

Compare data plans and availability for each eSIM company carefully to find the one that best fits you.

Nomad, for example, has great regional AND individual country options. Airalo has great regional options but their individual country plans are limited. Both have similar offerings but the pricing and data amounts vary.

Purchase your plan and install your eSIM before arriving at your international destination. eSIMs can be installed on your smartphone without starting the prepaid plan.

Often you’ll have a set period, like 30 days from your purchase date, to activate and start your plan. It’s only when you “activate” your plan that the data can be used and the countdown begins on the plan’s duration.

But here’s an important reminder: activating your eSIM plan requires a data connection.

Check out Airalo international eSIM plans >

The best way to activate your plan

When you are ready to start your plan, connect to WIFI. This could be on the plane (if that’s available to you). More likely, it will be in the form of free WIFI offered by the airport when you arrive.

You can activate your plan early, before you even depart for your destination. This might be a good option if you’re unsure when you’ll have WIFI next and you want to make sure your eSIM is up and running as soon as you land at your destination.

1. Open your eSIM app and go to your plan.
2. Tap “Activate.” Follow any instructions in the app. Done!

Next:

• Check your cellular data settings in your phone.
• Make sure the eSIM has been installed and turned on.
• Turn on data roaming.

Troubleshooting if your eSIM doesn’t seem to be working

Instructions or troubleshooting documentation provided by the eSIM company will be in their confirmation emails, within the app, or on their website. They know things can happen and provide good instructions on what to try when something doesn’t work properly.

If the eSIM was working in one place and doesn’t seem to be working after crossing borders or arriving from an airplane, try these things:

• Turn your eSIM off and back on. (Don’t uninstall though.)
• Turn your phone off and back on.
• Double check to make sure your plan hasn’t expired or reached the data limit.

Get familiar with the Cellular settings in your smartphone 

Phone settings is an important area to explore. Here you can (and should) label your eSIM. I suggest labeling it with the name of the company and plan you purchased (i.e. Airalo AsiaLInk) so you can remember which eSIM you’re changing settings for.

Next, you can set which eSIM/SIM is your primary or default.

You can also turn off or on eSIMs here. For example, Michelle wanted to make sure she wasn’t charged for any international calls or texts with her AT&T account, so she turned that SIM off completely while traveling.

Finally, the Cellular settings area is also where you can adjust which apps you will allow to use cellular data. More on that below.

Managing data usage 

Your smartphone will have settings to determine which apps can be used with cellular data and which apps you want to limit to WIFI use. 

You can even select which eSIM/SIM to use, if you have multiple on the phone. 

If you want to make your data will last as long as possible, consider turning off cellular data for streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc.) and social media apps (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc.).

Keep cellular data on for any travel apps that will be important to use in transit or away from WiFi. Apps that help you navigate, like Google Maps, or receive messages, like Whatsapp, are the ones we prioritize for cell data.

Remember to use the eSIM app to monitor your data usage.

Your phone monitors data usage as well, but we’ve found the eSIM apps to be a better indicator of usage since they’re the ones that will stop your plan when you use up the data.

To maximize your data allotment, be intentional about what apps you use when connected to WIFI.

Save big data usage, like streaming videos, engaging with social media apps, and talking with loved ones via video calls, for WIFI connection.

This simple, intentional method of using your apps is an easy way to save on your data usage. But if you paid for a big data plan, go to town and use whatever app you’d like on your eSIM data plan. You paid for lots of data – you should get your money’s worth.

Making local and international calls while abroad using Whatsapp

As mentioned before, eSIMs typically don’t provide you with a usable phone number. This makes sense as usually phone numbers are network-specific and the eSIM can use a variety of networks. (If you have an eSIM that works in several different cities/countries, you would need a different phone number in each country.)

You may think that not having a phone number would prevent you from using your smartphone to make calls while abroad. But that’s not the case!

You can make local calls in the country you’re visiting using Whatsapp. This app uses data to make phone calls over the internet.

As long as you have a Whatsapp account, just open the app, go to calls, and dial the number you want to call using the country code and number.

(You can call any phone number through Whatsapp, however, in order for someone to receive messages through Whatsapp, they do need to have the Whatsap app on their phone.)

Can I use my eSIM data plan for iMessage, Facetime, Google Voice, Facebook messenger, etc..?

Yes! All of those apps run on data. You should be able to use any of them without any issues with your eSIM data plan.

Did we have any issues with our eSIMs while traveling?

There were a couple of things we learned using eSIMs for the first time.

When we landed in different countries via airplane, the data connection took some time. It didn’t always connect instantaneously once we turned off airplane mode.

Once, one of our eSIMs wasn’t connecting at all after we landed in a new country. There were no error messages or instructions, just the “spinning wheel of death” where the network name and data bars should be.

Eventually, we tried turning off the phone and turning it back on. This seemed to work, but it would have been nice if there was some kind of notification prompting us to reset the cellular network connection.

One final suggestion for travelers using eSIMs:

Install your eSIM and activate your plan before arriving at your destination.
Pro: You’ll land at your destination and theoretically you’ll be connected to cellular data.
Cons: You might start using up your plan a little earlier than you wanted.

OR

Install your eSIM before you depart and then activate your plan using a WIFI connection after arriving at your destination.
Pro: You’ll have your eSIM ready to go and you won’t start your plan until you absolutely need to. It’s a running clock from the point you start.
Cons: You’ll need to find a WIFI connection in transit to make this happen.

Learn more about Airalo international eSIMs for travel >

How to choose an eSIM plan

When comparing eSIM options, focus on these three things:

1. Coverage in your destination(s)

Especially check availability in the places you’ll be spending the most time in. Some plans are country-specific, while others cover entire regions.

2. How much data do I want and for what period of time?

This should come second to the country-specific availability.

Look at how many days you’ll be traveling and match that to the plan duration.

Just keep in mind: eSIM plans are prepaid, and unused data typically doesn’t roll over. If you’re traveling longer than the plan duration, you’ll likely need to top up or purchase a second plan.

3. Price (for the value, not just the lowest cost)

This will differ between eSIM companies. Costs are based on the amount of data and the duration you’ll have access to the plan.

Remember, these are prepaid plans and you can customize based on your needs. Maybe you go with a region-specific plan at first, then switch to a country-specific plan later in your itinerary.

We’ve also used different providers on the same trip – like Airalo for one leg and Nomad for another. There’s no downside to mixing and matching if it fits your needs better.

FAQs: Common Questions About eSIMs for Travel

Are eSIMs better than portable WIFI devices?

Both an eSIM and a portable WIFI device exist to connect to a local cellular data network, providing you with data for your devices.

I think portable WIFI companies will have a hard time competing with eSIMs because:
– The WiFi device takes up valuable packing space
– In my experience, the eSIM apps are easier to use.

A portable WIFI device is only necessary if you have an older phone that does not support eSIM technology.

If you need to connect other devices, most phones have the ability to turn into a mobile hotspot. This way, you can then share your eSIM data plan with other devices. (More on this below.)

eSIM vs. a SIM card: Do eSIMs work better?

They can both function well abroad, depending on their network coverage. The main difference is that eSIMs are much more convenient to purchase and to use.

It’s easy to change between different eSIM companies to best fit your travel plans.

Is eSIM coverage good everywhere?

eSIM companies have contracts with different cellular networks in each country. Your installed eSIM will connect to whichever local network you’re physically closest to.

This means the performance and coverage of an eSIM data plan will vary by location. This might be one of the biggest cons, not knowing exactly how good your coverage will be while traveling.

Similar to using a cellular network in your home country, cellular coverage is most likely the best in urban areas, spotty in semi-urban/rural areas, and sometimes non-existent in really rural or remote areas.

What happens if you use up your data, need to add more, or renew a plan?

Again, the process is extremely convenient. You can track your data usage via the app of the eSIM company you’re using.

You can top up through the app or purchase a new plan (if needed). It’s clear and straightforward.

Gone are the days when you purchased a card with a funky number code that you needed to enter into your phone to add more data.

How much data do I need? What eSIM data plan should I purchase?

This is like asking how much food do you need. The answer is highly dependent upon the person.

During our time in SE Asia, I was surprised that a 5GB plan over 30 days was more than we needed. In that time, I used about 2.75 GB. Michelle used less than 2 Gigs on her plan.

So when I renewed my plan for another 30 days, I got the 3GB plan.

One of the reasons why you probably don’t need as much data as you might think: So many places offer free WIFI now.

A big change over the 7 years we’ve been traveling to Asia is availability of WiFi. I would argue it’s easier to get connected to WIFI in rural Asia than it is in rural Italy or France.

When on prepaid/capped data plans, I’m much more intentional about when and how I use certain apps. I got into the habit of only using data-hungry apps like Instagram or Facebook when connected to WIFI.

You can customize your phone settings to specify which apps can run only on WiFi vs. cell data, so it happens automatically. (More on this below.)

If you don’t care how much money you spend and staying connected is important for your work or peace of mind, go with a bigger data plan. This way, you won’t have to carefully track your usage. To each their own.

If you’re more budget minded (like us), there’s usually a “Goldilocks” plan. You know, not too small or too large.

For most travelers, we estimate that 3GB for 30 days will be enough (5GB for extra peace of mind).

If you’re a social media influencer, or you need to make video calls when WiFi is unavailable/not fast enough, or maybe you’re just addicted to watching Netflix on the road, then maybe you’ll want more data.

TIP: If you have our WorldWide Connectivity course (also available inside our Membership), use the lesson “How Much Data Do I Need?” to help determine this for yourself.
We also recommend reviewing the modules on E-SIM Best Practices and Managing Data Usage to get the most out of your eSIM.

Do eSIMs come with a phone number?

Most travel eSIMs are data-only, and that has worked fine for us 99% of the time. It’s rare that we truly need to make a local or international call through cellular service.

Instead, we use apps like WhatsApp and Google Voice for calls and texts. (We teach the how-to in our WorldWide Connectivity course.)

Can I use WhatsApp or iMessage with an eSIM?

As long as you have data (cellular or WiFi), WhatsApp works normally and can use your existing number even when you’re abroad. 

iMessage, on the other hand, works on eSIMs in some situations. iMessages sent to Android users may not go through because it requires SMS texts (and SMS is not often available on an eSIM).

What happens if my phone is locked?

If your phone is locked to a carrier, you won’t be able to use any kind of SIM or eSIM from another provider. You’ll need to unlock it first.

Can I use my regular SIM and eSIM at the same time?

Yes, most newer phones support dual SIM. You can keep your home number active while using eSIM for data.

At the time of writing this, I’m currently using an eSIM with T-mobile for my US phone number, and I’ve installed a separate travel eSIM to use in SE Asia. 

Is an eSIM always cheaper than a local SIM card?

Not always. Local SIMs can be cheaper for long stays, but eSIMs are often worth it for convenience and shorter trips.

Do eSIMs work in multiple countries?

Yes, if you choose plans that are regional or global. Always check coverage before purchasing.

Airalo Discount Code

If you’re going to try Airalo eSIMs for the first time, they gave us a referral code that will get you $3 off your first eSIM data plan.

Once you sign up, use our Airalo Discount Code: MICHEL3784 on your first purchase.

We’ll both get a $3 credit for Airalo plans.

Travel eSIM Review Conclusion

Whether for digital nomad internet access or general travel use, we are eSIM converts! We will definitely be using eSIMs for travel from here on out.

We will still rely heavily on wifi at our accommodations. But we’ve tried mobile hotspots in the past as a back up to wifi, and international eSIM plans are likely to replace them as an essential travel tool for us.

Let us know if you have questions about eSIMs for international travel.

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