Travel today is quite digital, as you need to book flights, trains, buses, and museums from your phone and pay via the same. This means you need to stay connected, but it doesn’t mean hunting down airport kiosks or incurring significant roaming fees.
Technology has made it easy to connect seamlessly through eSIM plans when travelling. These let you stay connected after crossing borders, without worrying about huge roaming fees or buying overpriced SIM cards at the airport.
What exactly is an eSIM & why use it for travel?
eSIM is short for embedded SIM. It’s a digital version of the physical SIM card we are familiar with and works in a similar way. But instead of inserting a plastic chip into your phone, you only need to install a mobile data plan through an app or a QR code. You can then browse seamlessly, depending on your plan.
eSIMs are quite useful when travelling. You won’t need to pay expensive roaming fees or buy a local SIM card only to throw it away after a few days. You can install the plan before you even leave, and you’ll connect to the internet the moment you land.
Such a setup offers lots of convenience and flexibility. You can know exactly how much you’ll spend, as travel eSIMs work on a prepaid plan, and you can also leave your home number connected for calls and texts. Even when you cross multiple borders, you still won’t have to look for a SIM ejector tool.
Device check and preparation
Take a few minutes to confirm your phone is ready to use an eSIM. This part isn’t complicated, as you only need to check a few things. The first is whether your phone is unlocked, as it may not work with third-party providers if it’s still under contract.
A quick way to check this is by going to Settings and searching for “Carrier Lock” (iPhone) or “Network Unlock Status” (Android). It should say ‘No SIM restrictions’ or ‘Unlocked’. If it’s locked, you can make a quick call or chat with your carrier, especially if the device is already paid off.
Apart from that, ensure your device actually supports eSIM. Most recent smartphones do, but you may not have much luck with phones released before 2019.
Lastly, save your eSIM instructions offline if you intend to activate it when you land. You should also enable data roaming for that particular eSIM.
How to set up an eSIM before your trip
Once you’ve confirmed that your phone supports eSIM and selected a provider and data plan, setting it up should take only a few minutes. Ideally, you should do this with your reliable home Wi-Fi before you travel.
Most eSIM providers let you choose between activating with a QR code and installing the eSIM data through an app.
If you prefer the QR code option:
- Buy your eSIM plan, and the provider will email you a QR code along with instructions.
- On your phone, go to Settings > Mobile/Cellular > Add eSIM (wording depends on your device).
- Scan the QR code.
Your phone will detect the plan automatically.
If your eSIM provider uses an app:
- Download the provider’s app from the App Store or Play Store.
- Log in and choose the plan you want.
- Tap Install eSIM.
- Confirm the new data plan when prompted.
Before leaving the country, switch mobile data to your eSIM and enable data roaming. The latter may feel counterintuitive, but travel eSIMs work that way by design, as they typically connect to more than one foreign network. Since it’s a prepaid plan, you won’t incur any unexpected charges, and you’ll enjoy the convenience of topping up as you go.
