eSIM for International Travel
- Thread starter OpXXX
- Start date
I've taken multiple trips to the USA over the last few years. I've been using an eSIM from https://www.instabridge.com. The USA rates are quite cheap. You can look up the rates for other countries. If you're going to multiple countries you may need to buy separate plans for each country.
It doesn't really matter when or where you make the purchase since it's all online/electronic, but it's probably better to set it all up at home first. You can buy the plan whenever then activate it when you get there. There's an app you need to download to install the eSIM and buy/activate the plans. Once it's installed you can just keep it and buy new plans whenever you need to.
It doesn't really matter when or where you make the purchase since it's all online/electronic, but it's probably better to set it all up at home first. You can buy the plan whenever then activate it when you get there. There's an app you need to download to install the eSIM and buy/activate the plans. Once it's installed you can just keep it and buy new plans whenever you need to.
Saily, Airalo, holafly are all good. You can compare the costs and check out who the local carrier is first. Some are faster than others because they use different networks. Some may be 4G, while others are 5G.
Its pretty easy to use. You just need to change some setting on your phone. I would install at home where you have access to internet, but you could usually find free wi-fi at a coffee shop or at the airport.
Its pretty easy to use. You just need to change some setting on your phone. I would install at home where you have access to internet, but you could usually find free wi-fi at a coffee shop or at the airport.
Thanks for all the replies folks. Seems like most people are going with the major players (Saily, Airalo and Holafly). FUP (Fair Use Policy) seems to be a well hidden limiation on some of offerings where if the local carrier deems you have used too much data, they rate limit to an almost non usable data rate. Usually TELUS (my carrier) offers a $50/month travel pass and you use the phone as it was as home but unfortunately not available for AUS/NZ. Made good use of that when in Europe over Christmas.
I think most people are going the esim route to avoid ridiculous roaming charges. The Canadian oligopoly telecoms better up their game, because roaming charges like VCR rentals are going to be a footnote in history
Check out the best options for wherever you're going, and your phones compatibility. Newer can easily take an eSim, but make sure you get what you want with that eSim, be it data only, or data and phone/text ability. Once you find the eSim card that works for you, set everything up before you go, then activate when you arrive. Easy to do at your hotel, if you go there first to drop your bags off.
If you are going to Europe consider Orange eSim. The difference between them and Airalo and similar services is that you will get a local number that you can make voice calls and SMS. The data allowance and speed is similar. The coverage is also very good. You can get it online before your travel.
I just returned from New Zealand and used Saily. It connected to Spark NZ and worked well except in remote areas with limited coverage as to be expected. They only offer data and no local phone number. I set it up before leaving and it automatically connected when I landed in New Zealand.
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If you purchase an eSIM on your phone, get another phone (your friends phone) to screenshot the QR code. Then scan that QR code with your phone.
