Remember the days before cellphones when you’d just go off on your travels and your loved ones would wait for a postcard? Now, people expect a phonecall or a text or some sort of message to let them know you’ve arrived safely. And our phones serve as map, guidebook, currency convertor, and more. I’ve used my phone in Lisbon to hail an Uber, or in South Africa to check a change to my flight schedule. Isn’t technology wonderful!
But if you don’t prepare, you may find yourself stuck with a phone that doesn’t work. Or worse – the dreaded roaming charges. Now you may be intentionally seeking some time away to unplug completely, and I can definitely understand that. If that is the case, no need to read any further. But if you want to or need to stay connected in some form, take a little time before you jet off to figure out what your options are. Do you need a SIM card? And what type might be best for your needs?
Check with Your Carrier
Roaming charges can be nasty. But it is still worth checking with your carrier to see if they offer any options for overseas travel. For instance, Mint Mobile offers a Minternational Pass, offering data, minutes, and text capabilities for up to 10 days. They also offer a voice and text (no data) plan for up to 30 days. Different carriers may offer different options.
Local Wi-Fi Only?
One option is to switch off your usual SIM so you don’t face roaming charges, and just rely on local free WiFi, for example, at the hotel, airport, and at restaurants, etc. There’s no charge and there are often a ton of networks you can hop on to.
But would I recommend it? No. Here’s why.
Those free networks are unsecured. Sure you can hop on as you need to, but so can anyone else, and before you know it, your phone’s info may be compromised. I know many a traveler who has returned from a trip to find that someone hacked into their phone while they were using airport WiFi and they come home to find $1000s in fraudulent charges on their credit card. To me, it’s not worth the risk.
Physical SIM Card
One option is to switch out your physical SIM card for one that works in your destination country. In Lisbon last year, I was easily able to find a temporary SIM card good for a week or so at a local store. You can often choose from data-only plans or ones that also allow for calls. You can choose a certain amount of data (5GB, 10 GB, etc.) and usually a certain timeframe, from a few days to a month. This has allowed me to easily (and cheaply) access a local network that I can use for maps, tips on getting around, and more.
I also used this option during several trips to England. When I did my Coast-to-Coast walk, I used a Pay-As-You-Go SIM from EE. This gave me a phone number to reach family and data plan. Once I ran out, I could simply stop by any local convenience store and top up my plan. I brought another one a couple of years later on another UK trip. Be aware, though, that I then had to call them because I already had a dormant account in their system and needed to reactivate it before I could use it again. A simple 5-minute call to customer service had me ready to go again.
Temporary SIM cards are usually very easy to find in mobile phone stores, convenience stores, and even vending machines at the airport so you can be hooked to a local network the minute you land.
eSIM
For my most recent trip to Europe, I decided to try an eSIM. These are even more convenient than a temporary SIM card because there’s no fiddling around with that little tool to open the SIM port. (And chances are you’ve lost the tool so you’re frantically searching for a paperclip.)
If you’re going the eSIM route, you need to make sure that your phone is compatible. The mainstream brands (iPhone, Google, Samsung, etc) usually are, but if you have a lesser-known brand, check first. You also need to make sure your phone is unlocked. You can check with your carrier if you’re unsure. Then it’s just a case of downloading and activating once you land in your destination country. At the end of my trip, I simply disabled the SIM, and activated my usual one as soon as I landed back in the US.
As with a temporary SIM card, you can choose from a variety of data packages and time periods with an eSIM. And I was pleasantly surprised by how competitive the prices were. I bought mine through eSIMania.com. I should note that this is an affiliate link, but I wanted to try them for myself before recommending them. I bought a 30-day 10GB package for $15, and then an extra 7-day package ($2.40) for my last few days. Great price, and reliable data wherever I went. Note that it is data only. I didn’t need a phone number when apps like Whatsapp make calling loved ones so easy. Next time I travel, I’ll be sure to use eSIMania again.
