Have you heard of the terms “eSIM” or “global eSIM” but you have no clue how they work or why they’re worth it? Or maybe you’ve never heard of them before and you’re still struggling with connectivity on your travels. Well, either way, you need to stay connected to the internet for various reasons, like safety and navigation, especially if you’re a solo traveler like me.

If that sounds like you, then you should definitely read along. I’ve been using eSIMs for over 2 years now and I think they’re totally worth it, and here’s why!

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What is an eSIM?

First things first, let’s start by understanding what exactly is an eSIM before I tell you why you need to download one before your trip. An eSIM, which is short for “embedded SIM”, is a digital form of the traditional physical SIM card. So, instead of swapping SIM cards, an eSIM can be installed on your smartphone via software, providing you with network connectivity.

What is a global eSIM?

A global eSIM is an eSIM that works all around the globe, or in most countries at least. It’s a bit pricier than local or regional eSIMs but they come in handy in multi-country trips or long world trips. So, it’s definitely perfect for digital nomads, in particular.

Benefits of eSIMs

Instant (and constant) connectivity

You can purchase your new eSIM even before arriving at your destination. And before you run out of data, you can top up via the app, meaning you never have to run out of internet.

Saves roaming fees

I don’t know about you but where I come from, Egypt, roaming fees are super expensive. So, to have an internet connection, I either pay an arm or a leg for it, chase WiFi, or get a physical SIM card. Back in the day, before I got introduced to the gem that is a global eSIM, I opted for physical SIM cards – but I ended up with one from every country I visited. 

You don’t have to chase WiFi

Face it, this is not very convenient. Yes, who doesn’t like free internet and all, but you don’t get instant access to the internet which you may need for safety reasons. With an eSIM, you can stay in touch with others, reach out to people in case of emergency, navigate, or do some travel research on the spot.

Zero hassle of a physical SIM card

Yes, getting a physical SIM card comes with unnecessary hassles. Be it long queues at the airport, having to find a mobile shop in the city to get it for a cheaper price, or figuring out how to top up in a foreign country. However, with an eSIM, be it a local, regional, or global eSIM, everything is a few clicks away. The software you’ll be downloading will enable you to purchase, download, and top up your eSIM.

Easy to set up

You don’t have to be very tech-savvy to get the hang of eSIMs as they’re easy to download, install, and activate. Your software of choice will probably come with a tutorial that you can easily follow. For instance, Airalo, the app that I use, has various installation options – it can be done directly via the app and phone settings, via QR code, or manually.

Disadvantages of eSIMs

Your phone needs to be eSIM-compatible

To install an eSIM, your phone obviously needs to be eSIM-compatible. But don’t worry, most of the newer smartphones are now compatible, whether it’s an iPhone or Android. It’s 2023 now, eSIM is the future and the biggest proof is that Apple is going eSIM-only with the new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 PRO. 

It is hard to switch devices in case of an emergency

Since the eSIM is embedded in your device, it’s not easy to transfer it to another one in case something goes wrong with yours. I mean, phones get stolen and they also break – it happened to me twice before on the same trip!

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Most of the time, it’s just data

Most eSIM software will only offer mobile data, which is inconvenient if there’s an emergency and you need to make a call. Luckily, Airalo just rolled out calls and texts for their global eSIM packages, and are expected to introduce the feature to the rest of their eSIMs later on.

They’re not always cheap

A global eSIM may be more expensive than a local eSIM; however, given that you won’t have to purchase multiple eSIMs on trips where you visit more than one country, it’s the more practical choice. Also, depending on how long you’re traveling and how many destinations, it may even be more cost-efficient. So, it’s totally worth the extra cost.

The Best eSIM for International Travel 

For me, my personal choice when it comes to global eSIM or local eSIM is Airalo, which has been the best software I’ve dealt with so far.

My Airalo eSIM Review

Usability

Generally speaking, Airalo is easy to use and offers great connectivity in most countries. I’ve used it in several countries in Europe and the Middle East so far, and most of the time, it was reliable. The only country where I’ve faced connectivity issues was Portugal – this may happen in destinations that don’t offer lots of network providers to eSIM companies. 

Airalo’s interface is user-friendly and doesn’t require being very tech-savvy to get the hang of. They offer a step-by-step guide as well as a video tutorial that you can easily follow to install and activate your eSIM.

Customer Support

In addition, in case anything goes wrong, there’s a chat option where you can message customer support. To be honest, though, they should work on the responsiveness, in my opinion. However, the platform’s user base is growing, which means they’re probably working on increasing their customer care staff. I only needed help on my Portugal trip though – other than that, I rarely needed customer support as everything was super smooth.

Packages

On another note, something I absolutely love about Airalo is the wide variety of options. It’s not just that they offer data packages for 200+ destinations, they also offer global eSIMs, as well as local and regional ones. So, if you’re traveling to one country, you can purchase an eSIM that’s designated for this specific country. However, if you’re planning a Euro trip, then it would make more sense to get a regional eSIM – one of their European eSIMs in this case. On the other hand, if you’re off on a world trip, or traveling to different countries in different regions, then the global eSIM would be the most convenient option for you.

Pricing

As for the pricing, most packages are reasonably priced. Some may seem pricey; however, if you choose the right packages based on your itinerary as I just explained, it should be cost-effective.

How to Activate Airalo eSIM?

If you’re new to this, then this is probably the first thing that pops into your mind. But don’t worry – it’s super easy!

First of all, you need to make sure your smartphone is eSIM-compatible, then you can go ahead and download Airalo. Afterwards, decide whether you’ll be downloading a local, regional, or global eSIM. Then, pick the package of your preference depending on the amount of data you need and the duration of the trip. You can choose to either pay via debit/credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay (but this one’s not available in all countries). You can also pay via Airmoney which is Airalo’s reward currency, and it’s not some BS points system – I’ve actually saved a lot of money with this.

Upon making the purchase, you should then activate your eSIM. Airalo offers 3 ways to activate it:

1. Direct installation: You’ll simply tap on “install eSIM” and follow the instructions on the app. You’ll also need to adjust a few things in your cellular/mobile data settings to make sure you properly activate the eSIM and to be able to access data. All the instructions are clear on the app. 
2. QR Code: You can generate a QR code that you can scan from another device or a printed paper. You’ll also need to adjust your cellular/mobile data settings.
3. Manually: In this case, you’ll enter details manually. You’ll copy the eSIM’s SM-DP+Address and activation code into your settings, and adjust the rest of the settings as previously mentioned. 

Verdict

To sum it up, downloading an eSIM will definitely up your travel game. However, it’s always better to do your own comparison while planning your trip. Look up the available packages in your destination and compare them with local plans. 

Normally, I opt for eSIMs when traveling around; however, when I travel to a single destination for 1 month or more, I get physical SIM cards. That’s only because in such cases, I need to make calls and stay in touch with locals often. But with Airalo introducing the calls and texts feature, this is definitely changing and I’ll be relying more on eSIMs in the future. 

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Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

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