The Ultimate Guide to Travel SIMs: 4 Stress-Free Solutions for Staying Connected Anywhere (2025)

We live in an era where the internet is now a basic need.

We rely on the internet for paying bills, buying stuff, getting directions, accessing emergency services, staying connected with loved ones, and soooo much more.

You will need all of these things while traveling too — you don’t want to end up in a new country and not be connected to the internet, if not for everyday tasks like researching your itinerary, then for your personal safety, especially as a woman.

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4 Options for Mobile Plans While Traveling

1. eSIMs

eSIMS are quickly becoming the most popular choice for travelers looking to stay online.

In fact, they’re now replacing physical SIMs from many national providers as well, due to the benefits of eSIMs, including easy and fast installation, less environmental impact than physical SIMs, and more.

If you decide to go with apps like Airalo, Nomad, Yesim, Simly, or Truely, the simplest way to get your eSIM is to download the app on your phone.

Purchase your plan based on your data needs, and install directly. It only takes a few seconds and installation is easy and efficient. 

Alternatively, you can look for local providers from your destination offering eSIMS that you can purchase before you depart, so you can have the benefits of owning a local phone number, like making local phone calls.

Before my first Europe trip, I purchased an eSIM from Orange, a French telecom company that provides coverage in 48 destinations across 30 countries in the EU.

Despite being slightly more expensive than other options, it was totally worth it because I had internet connectivity on my way to my accommodation from the airport, and I didn’t have to carry my luggage to local stores to get myself a physical SIM.

Pros and cons of eSIMs

Pros:

• Affordable options: There are tons of cost-effective plans to choose from. For example: Airalo offers a 10GB, 30-day Europe plan for just US$37 (tax included).
• Easy to set up: To get an eSIM, there is a quick and simple installation process, and many eSIMs can be activated from home, so you’re connected as soon as you land.
• Fast and reliable connectivity with with 5G and 4G networks.
• Convenient and hassle-free since there is no need to visit a store to purchase a SIM, and you can switch between multiple eSIMs directly from your device and avoid the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards for every destination. Plus, you don’t have to spend extra time and energy researching different options each time you travel, since you can stick to one app.
• Reduces waste by eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, thus being the more eco-friendly choice.
• Enhanced security with lower risk of losing or damaging a physical SIM — no worries about someone accessing your data through a lost SIM.
• Additional Features: Providers may have unique offerings, for example, Yesim gives you a local number, and Airalo will reward you for more usage with discounts in the form of Airmoney!

Cons:

• Some eSIM plans don’t come with a phone number and are data only
• Not all devices are eSIM compatible
• If you lose your phone while traveling, moving your plan over to your spare phone might not be possible

2. Your existing phone plan

If you’re reading this blog, you probably have a phone with a SIM from a local provider.

An easy option while traveling might be to find out your provider’s roaming plans.

Some plans come with roaming either as default or as add-ons. 

Many plans in Canada and USA already include roaming in between the two countries at no additional cost, so if you’re traveling within North America, you may not have to pay more.

Some of these plans include Mexico as well. Make sure you understand the plans and browse through the terms and conditions, or contact your provider to confirm any charges.

Americans

Residents of the USA have the following options for phone plans that include international roaming:

1. Google Fi Unlimited Plus (US$65+tax): Unlimited data, calls, and texts within the US, Canada, and Mexico, free data and texting in 218 destinations, and US$0.20/min for calls.

Currently comes with 6 months of YouTube Premium and 100GB of Google One storage. 

2. Google Fi Flexible (US$20+US$10/GB+tax): Unlimited data, calls, and texts within the US, Canada, and Mexico, free data and texting in 218 destinations, and US$0.20/min for calls.

3. T-Mobile Magenta Max (US$85+tax): Unlimited talk, text, and full high-speed data in Canada and Mexico, with reduced speeds after reaching the data threshold.

The plan includes unlimited texting and data at reduced speeds in over 210 countries, with the option to purchase high-speed data passes for faster connections while traveling internationally.

Canadians

1. Freedom Mobile

Currently, Freedom Mobile is the only carrier offering roaming as part of their plan, instead of as an add-on.

If you have one of their Roam Beyond plans, you get roaming in over 100 global destinations at no additional cost, starting from CAD$45/mo.

When you’re in a Freedom Mobile Roam Beyond destination, you get data with no overage fees, unlimited calls to Canada and to local numbers within your current Roam Beyond destination, as well as unlimited incoming calls and global texting.

The two Roam Beyond plans they currently offer are:

• 75GB for CAD $45+tax/mo at 5G speed and lower speeds after you’ve used up your data
• 100GB for CAD $55+tax/mo at 5G speed and lower speeds after you’ve used up your data

Pros and cons of using your existing phone plan

Pros:

• You can keep your existing phone number.
• You have easy access to your existing services like banking apps that might require two-factor authentication.
• You can continue to make calls in Canada while you’re abroad
• If you have a plan that includes roaming by default, you don’t have to pay more money.
• You don’t have to spend time and energy looking for other options.

Cons:

• This option will mainly work for someone who is looking for a new phone plan. If you already have an ongoing contract with another provider, you will likely incur cancellation fees to sign up for a new plan, or even potentially for changing between plans with the same provider.
• Some plans don’t include every country. For example, Freedom Mobile’s Roam Beyond doesn’t include Pakistan, so I would have to buy another plan just for Pakistan when I’m there.
• This option is generally pricier than buying an eSIM.
• If you forget to manually activate the roaming feature before your trip, you might be overcharged and run out of data very quickly.
• Roaming internationally may be at lower speeds than eSIMS.

3. Add-ons

While some mobile plans have roaming included as a default, others might offer roaming as an add-on for an additional cost.

Americans

Residents of the U.S. have the following options for roaming add-ons to existing phone plans:

1. T-Mobile International Pass:

•  International Day Pass (USD$5+tax): Includes 512MB of high-speed data per day, with speeds lowered to 2G once this limit is reached.
• 10-Day Pass (USD$35+tax) and 30-Day Pass (USD$50+tax): These provide 5GB of high-speed data, after which speeds are also reduced to 2G​.

2. Verizon TravelPass (USD$12/day+tax): Allows you to use your domestic plan’s talk, text, and data in over 210 destinations for US$12/day+tax, or US$6/day+tax in Mexico and Canada. 

3. Verizon International Monthly Plan (USD$100/month+tax): For longer trips, Verizon also offers a monthly plan including unlimited data (with 20GB of high speed data and remaining at 3G speed), unlimited texts, and 250 minutes of calls.

4. AT&T International Day Pass (USD$12/day+tax): Provides access to your plan’s talk, text, and data in 210+ countries. This plan is available as an add-on to any AT&T unlimited data plan, with a daily charge only when you use your phone abroad.

Canadians

Residents of Canada have the following options for roaming add-ons to existing phone plans:

1. Freedom Mobile’s Roam Beyond Pass (from CAD$20+tax): You can purchase this as an add-on, which is a one-time use pass for 30 days with data, talk and text in either up to 92 destinations (CAD$20-30+tax) or up to 101 destinations (CAD$30-50+tax), providing either 1GB or 5GB data plans. 

2. TELUS Easy Roam (CAD$16+tax/day for international): Provides access to all the data, talk, and text from your plan while abroad in the US (CAD$14+tax/day) or 200+ international destinations (CAD$16+tax/day).

You only get charged on the days you use your phone. It does not include usage on cruise ships or in-flight​. 

3. Koodo Easy Roam (CAD$16+tax/day for international): Similar to TELUS, Koodo offers Easy Roam which lets you use your plan’s data, talk, and text in the US (CAD$14+tax/day) or 200+ international destinations (CAD$16+tax/day).

You are only charged for days you use your phone while abroad​.

4. Fido Roam (CAD$15+tax/day for international): Use your plan’s data, calls, and texts in 185 destinations just like at home.

The charges apply per calendar day, up to a maximum of 20 days per billing cycle, after which there are no additional charges for the rest of the cycle.

This is available for most postpaid plans, but not for prepaid or postpaid Basic plans​. Fido also has a U.S. only roaming option for CAD$12+tax/day.

5. Rogers Roam Like Home (CAD$15+tax/day for international): Offers unlimited talk, text, and data at the same rates as your domestic plan in over 185 destinations.

Similar to other plans, you are only charged for the days you use your phone while traveling. Rogers also has a U.S. only roaming option for CAD$12+tax/day.

Pros and cons of purchasing add-ons

Pros:

• You can keep your existing phone number.
• You have easy access to your existing services like banking apps that might require two-factor authentication.
• You can continue to make calls in Canada while you’re abroad.

Cons:

• The add-ons are significantly more expensive than other options like eSIM plans.
• Some plans might not provide enough data, for example, Freedom Mobile’s Roam Beyond pass only has 1GB or 5GB options.
• Roaming internationally may be at lower speeds than eSIMS.
• Providers may have device requirements for certain plans, so some devices might not be compatible — for example, Freedom Mobile requires you to have a device with VoLTE.

4. Local Destination SIMs

Many countries will have SIMs providing short-term plans that you can buy locally in stores or even at the airport after you arrive.

The options available to you depend on which country you are going to, so do some research on mobile carriers available in your destination country.

Best data providers in Europe 

The following companies provide data plans across many destinations in the EU:

• Orange
• Vodafone
• O2
• Three
• T-Mobile
• Free Mobile
• TIM
• Lycamobile

Pros and cons of purchasing local SIMs in your destination

Pros:

• You can get a local number, which may be required to access certain food delivery apps in some countries.
• Buying from a local store may be cheaper than other options*

Cons:

• *Depending on the country, buying a local plan might just be more expensive than other options. 
• SIMs at the airport cost more.
• If you plan to purchase in-store and not at the airport, you wouldn’t be connected until you get to a local store, so might be a risky thing to do in a new city — you risk getting lost on public transit or not being connected to your safe people in an Uber, and safety is key especially for solo female travelers!
• Some countries may have legal restrictions on getting a SIM. Pakistan, for example, charges a hefty tax as they require you to register your device with the government for the SIM to work if you plan to stay over 120 days. 

Tips for staying online abroad

Prepare your device

Unlock Your Phone: Ensure your phone is unlocked so you can use SIM cards from different carriers.

Research local services

Identify the services you’ll need at your destination so you can choose the best SIM option.

In the UAE, having a local number unlocked massive discounts on apps like Noon and Careem.

Set up WhatsApp

Sign up for WhatsApp if you don’t already have an account — WhatsApp is a free instant messaging app used in most parts of the world, especially by local businesses.

If you’re purchasing a new number for your travels and your current phone number is linked to WhatsApp, download WhatsApp Business and sign up with your travel number.

This way, you continue using your local home number for your existing Whatsapp account.

Purchase eSIMs in advance

Purchase eSIMS before departing from home, and make sure you are connected to a good WiFi network while you do so.

Check country-specific inclusions

For regional SIM plans, verify that the country you’re visiting is included.

If you’re planning to go to Switzerland and are purchasing a regional Europe SIM plan, check to see if Switzerland is included in the list of countries where service is available, since it isn’t part of the EU.

Use secure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Don’t rely on a SIM for two-factor authentication, since it’s not a secure method anyway.

Instead, download an authenticator app like Google Authenticator and set up 2FA for your important accounts.

My Top Recommendation for Travel SIMs (2025)

Personally, I always buy eSIMs from Airalo whenever I’m going on short trips.

I have used Airalo for 11 trips so far and it never disappoints.

Before I landed in London, UK for my two-month long Europe trip during my sabbatical, I initially purchased a 5GB 30 day eSIM plan from Airalo for US$20 valid across 39 cities in Europe. 

Once that was ending, I purchased a physical SIM in Belgium from Orange.

This way, I had a local Belgian phone number which I was able to use throughout my Europe trip, except in Switzerland — although, the Orange Holiday prepaid SIM includes Switzerland.

Choosing the right option for you depends on your needs and situation.

Whichever option you end up going for, make sure you have a solid understanding of the charges, fees, reliability and network coverage, and don’t compromise on your safety!

Personally, eSIMs from apps like Airalo, Simly and Yesim have been the right choice for me 90% of the time, but I have gone for different options in certain situations, so see which option makes sense for your upcoming trip.

The most important thing, at the end of the day, is to stay connected while you’re traveling. Happy travels!