Staying connected while travelling is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. From navigating new cities, sharing moments with friends, or working remotely, having reliable cell service can make or break your trip. That’s where the eSIM comes in! If you’re not using an eSIM for international travel, you are doing things TOTALLY WRONG! eSIM’s are the latest and greatest new travel hack and I am truly the biggest advocate for them. With so many options on the market, finding the best eSIM for your needs can feel overwhelming so I’m going to break down what exactly an eSIM is and how to choose the best one for you!
Don’t forget to pack all of your international travel essentials for your trip!
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What is an eSIM
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that is built directly into your phone. It is taking the place of a “traditional SIM card” aka a physical card that needs to be inserted into a phone. An eSIM lets you connect to the local network wherever you’re traveling without using a physical card. It’s an online service that can be downloaded directly to your device BEFORE your trip- which makes it super convenient!
Key Features of an eSIM
No Physical SIM Card Needed: eSIMs are embedded in your device, so you don’t need to insert or replace physical SIM cards.
Easy Activation: you can activate it before your trip so you have internet connection as soon as you land.
Multiple Plans: You can have multiple eSIMS at once, making it super easy to switch between different carriers or plans.
Perfect for Travelers: eSIMs are great for international travel. You can purchase and activate local or international data plans without needing to hunt for a physical SIM card when you arrive at your destination.
How to Choose the Best eSIM
There are a handful of different companies offering eSIMS and they are all getting more sophisticated as time goes on. When choosing an eSIM it is important that you consider these 8 things:
Device Compatibility
- First, check if your device supports eSIM. Many of the latest smartphones (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel) now support eSIM technology. But it is always beest to double-check your device before choosing an eSIM provider.
Coverage
- Make sure that the eSIM provider offers coverage in the countries or regions where you plan to travel! Some eSIMs specialize in certain regions, while others offer global coverage. Look at the list of supported countries to make sure your destination is included.
Data Plans
Different eSIM providers offer various types of data plans, including:
- Pay-as-you-go: Ideal for short trips or low data usage.
- Unlimited data: Best for heavy users who need to be online constantly.
- Local, regional, or global plans: Choose a plan that fits your travel plans—whether it’s just one country or multiple regions.
Pricing
- Compare pricing among different eSIM providers, especially for the amount of data you’ll need. Some providers offer cheaper short-term plans, while others provide better value for longer stays or multiple countries.
- Hidden fees: Be mindful of potential hidden fees such as activation costs or additional charges for specific services. The Best eSIMs won’t have any hidden fees.
Switching Between Plans
If you’re traveling across multiple countries, you may want to switch between local eSIMs or have multiple eSIM profiles on your device. Choose a provider that allows easy switching or provides multi-country plans.
eSIM Validity & Expiry
Check how long the eSIM remains valid. Some plans have an expiration date after activation, while others last as long as you need them. If you’re going to be on the road for a while, opt for a plan that covers a longer period.
Support for Calls & SMS
Not all eSIMs support voice calls and SMS, as many are data-only. If you need voice services or want to keep your phone number active, make sure the eSIM supports these features or consider using a secondary SIM card for calls.
Additional Features
- Some of the best eSIM providers offer perks like virtual numbers, hotspots, or apps to monitor your data usage.
My Go-To eSIM
After trying pretty much ALL of the eSIMs on the market, I can safely say that Jetpac Global is the best eSIM out there and heres why:
💰 affordability
Jetpac’s start at only $1 for a data plan!! There are NO hidden fees or overage charges making it accessible for all budgets!
🌎 Regional & global packs
Instead of swapping eSIMs each time you enter a new country, you can just use the same eSIM for all of the countries included in the region.
✈️ Free airport lounge
Get in to the airport lounge for free whenever your flight is delayed (more on this below)
🔒VPN access
get 30 day FREE access to ExpressVPN! (more on this below)
🛜 auto connect when you land
download the eSIM before the trip and once you land it will automatically connect to the local network- no extra steps needed
You can use code “ISAG7MR5” for $5 off your first Jetpac!
