Staying connected abroad used to mean one of two things: a scary roaming bill when you got home, or a queue at the airport for a local SIM card, or even worse, find a local shop. These days, getting an eSIM before you travel is a much easier option and once you have tried it you will never go back.
Whether you land late at night and want to get straight to your accommodation without waiting in a SIM card queue which happened to me in Turkiye recently, or you’re heading somewhere rural and won’t be able to get a SIM card in a local city, having data and internet access as soon as you land is really game changing and that is exactly what a travel eSIM gives you.
In this guide I will explain how they work, why I rate them, and which one I am recommending.
What Is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of popping a new local SIM into your phone, you download a mobile plan straight onto your device, usually by scanning a QR code or tapping a button in an app.
The clever part is that your phone can store several eSIM profiles at once. That means you can keep your usual UK number active for calls and texts (handy for bank security codes and WhatsApp) while using a travel eSIM for cheap local data.
Why I Choose an eSIM Over Roaming or a Local SIM
No airport queues. In my guide to staying connected in Thailand, I described that feeling of landing at Suvarnabhumi at midnight and needing data for a Grab, your hotel address and a message home, all at once. A physical SIM means queues, passport registration and someone swapping bits of plastic while you try not to lose your home SIM. With an eSIM, you set it up before you fly and land already connected.
It is kinder on your wallet. Since Brexit, many UK networks charge daily fees for using your allowance in Europe, and roaming further afield can cost a small fortune. A travel eSIM is usually far cheaper per gigabyte.
It makes family travel less stressful. Travelling with a toddler, I need maps, transfer details and messages to hand without juggling SIM trays. On our trip to Türkiye, our transfer to the hotel was just 30 minutes, but knowing I could check directions or message the rep if anything went wrong gave me real peace of mind.
It keeps plans flexible. Iceland taught me that weather rules everything. Our Northern Lights tour was cancelled a few days in a row before it finally happened on our last night, and our ice cave tour was cancelled too. Having reliable data meant I could check updates and rebook alternatives on the spot and not have to wait until I’m back at the hotel using their WiFi.
My Pick: Yesim
There are lots of eSIM providers out there, but Yesim is the one I am recommending, especially for families and anyone who hops between countries. Based in Switzerland, it has more than 4 million users and covers over 170 countries.
Here is what I like about it:
- Flexible plans. Choose pay as you go data, unlimited day passes, single country plans or a global package that works across 146 countries, so it suits a weekend in Hamburg as well as a big trip around Asia.
- Automatic network switching. Yesim connects to whichever of its 800+ partner networks is fastest, including 5G where available.
- Hotspot sharing. You can share data with other devices, which is perfect when the kids need a tablet for the journey or your partner’s plan has run out.
- Easy setup. Installation takes a single tap in the app, and there is 24/7 support in several languages if you get stuck.
Prices vary by destination and change often, so check out Yesim for the latest deals before you book.
How to Set Up a Travel eSIM
- Check your phone. Make sure it supports eSIMs and is unlocked. On an iPhone, look under Settings, then Mobile Data; on Android, check Settings, then Connections or Network.
- Buy your plan before you go. Download the Yesim app and pick a plan for your destination.
- Install it at home on WiFi. It takes a couple of minutes, and doing it before you leave means no panic at the gate.
- Switch it on when you land. Set the travel eSIM as your data line, turn data roaming on for that eSIM only, and keep roaming off on your UK line to avoid surprise charges.
How much data do you need? As I mentioned in my Thailand guide, 5 to 10 gb covers most travellers comfortably for two weeks, as long as photo backups and Netflix stay on the hotel WiFi. If you are sharing a hotspot with the kids, go a little bigger.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are planning an all inclusive family break in Türkiye, chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland or working your way around Asia, an eSIM is one of the simplest ways to make travel smoother. No queues, no plastic, no nasty bills when you get home.