best travel sims

12 Best International (e)SIM Cards for Traveling in 2024

Traveling overseas soon? Avoid high roaming costs and get yourself a travel sim card, an international sim card with data that works all over the world! Does that exist? Yes! And good news, I updated this international sim card comparison for all your trips abroad in 2024 and included the best international eSIM cards as well.

First I will give you a comparison of the best international prepaid and eSIM cards available for traveling abroad in 2024, including all the pros and cons. Then at the end I will also explain the differences between a local prepaid sim card and a global travel sim card and tell you what is cheaper.

In the end you can decide for yourself if you think it is worth buying an international (e)-sim card for your next trip or buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in your holiday destination.

For your convenience I ranked the best international sim cards from best to worst. Number 1 is my top recommendation, then number 2 and so on… However, it also depends on the places and countries that you will be traveling to, so choose your sim card wisely.

Slowly physical sim cards are being replaced by eSIM cards. Physical sim cards are not needed anymore, no more swapping sim cards in your phone if your phone is eSIM compatible.

Actually, eSIM cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling abroad in 2024 and you are online as soon as the plane lands.

Here are some of the latest Traveltomtom eSIM card guides with everything you need to know about buying an eSIM card for: USA , Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Japan , South Korea ,  Thailand , Hong Kong , Singapore , Indonesia ,  Philippines , Vietnam ,  Malaysia ,  China , Australia , New Zealand ,  Europe , Germany ,  France , Italy , Spain , Portugal , Greece ,  United Kingdom ,  Turkey ,  Egypt , Morocco ,  Dubai   and many more.

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Some links in this comparison of the best international travel sim cards are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Depending on your destination local prepaid sim cards will give you more value for money. But you can only buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival. Want to arrive prepared at your holiday destination and be online when the plane lands? Then order an international prepaid sim card or an eSIM card to stay connected.

Overseas data plans and data roaming packages from your mobile operator in your home country is mostly with capped data speed.

Traveltomtom recommends the following international sim cards: international physical prepaid sim cards from SimOptions , international eSIM cards from Simoptions ,  Airalo Discover Global eSIM cards  or  Jetpac Global eSIMs .

Personally I have a Discover Global eSIM card from Airalo with 20 GB data valid for 365 days installed on my phone. This eSIM card is valid in 124 countries and I use it every time the plane lands in a new country.

Depending on where and how long I travel I compare the local prepaid sim cards with the available eSIM cards.

Traveltomtom has used SimOptions and Airalo the most and for many consecutive years. But the competition on the international sim card market is fierce and Nomad as well as Jetpac often have some amazing eSIM card deals so I started using them too. It depends on where I am traveling.

Holafly is an eSIM provider that has eSIM cards with unlimited data, but also a so called FUP. Traveltomtom is not a fan, more about it later.

Comparison international sim card

As expected, there's a wide range of international sim cards available on the internet. The challenge that most travelers are faced with is choosing the best one for their trip. The pricing and capabilities vary widely and some cater best for one trip, but suck for another trip.

In the following section, I will review and compare the top international sim cards. Read through the list carefully and pick the travel sim that works for you. As promised I listed the best travel sim cards on top!

 In short:

• Best sim card for Europe: Orange Holiday Europe  & Bouygues Telecom (eSIM)
• Best sim card for Caribbean: Knowroaming or KeepGo, Gigsky
• Best sim card for North America: Orange Holiday World & Three UK or a  Airalo Discover Global eSIM card
• Best sim card for Central America:  Three UK
• Best sim card for South America: Three UK or Airalo Discover Global eSIM card
• Best sim card for Africa: Orange Holiday World &  Discover Global eSIM card
• Best sim card for Asia: Airalo Discover Global eSIM card & Jetpac Global
• Best sim card for Southeast Asia: Jetpac Global
• Best sim card for the Middle East:  Discover Global eSIM card
• Best sim card for Oceania: Smart Traveller eSim, Nomad Global

Traveling to the Middle East? I visited all countries in the Middle East myself and wrote detailed sim card guides for them: Qatar ,  Dubai , Bahrain , Oman , Saudi Arabia , Jordan , Lebanon , Israel , etc.

All the international sim cards below can be ordered directly online and will either be shipped to your home address or send directly to your e-mail in case of an eSIM card. In case of a physical prepaid sim card they will come in a 3-in-1 sizes which makes them fit into any smart(phone), tablet or portable WiFi device.

In case of eSIM cards always make sure your smartphone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM card.

1. Discover Global eSIM Card from Airalo

The easiest and most convenient way to get internet on your phone when traveling abroad in 2024 is an eSIM card. The way eSIM cards work is that through software on your phone (just settings, nothing fancy) you are able to switch to another network. On this network you are able to use the data allowance according to which package you bought and activated.

Mind you this is an eSIM card and NOT a physical sim card. So no need to swap a physical sim card. Just scan the received QR code, follow the steps, instal the eSIM card and activate it. Trust me it is really simple.

With an eSIM card you keep your own phone number and whenever you want to use your own phone number you simply switch networks again in the settings.

Airalo is one of the leading eSIM card providers and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times all over the world. Airalo offers sim cards for pretty much every country in the world and they also sell 2 international eSIM cards:

• International data-only eSIM card.
• International eSIM card including calling and texting.

Both Discover Global eSIM cards from Airalo are valid in 130 countries, depending on the plan you buy the sim card is valid for 365 days. Traveltomtom has this eSIM card installed on his phone. It is a life saver many times and only costs $69 USD.

Prices Discover Global data-only eSIM Card

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $9 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $17 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
• 5 GB data for 60 days = $35 USD
• 10 GB data for 180 days = $59 USD
• 20 GB data for 365 days = $69 USD

Click here for more info or to order a Discover Global data-only eSIM Card via Airalo .

Prices Discover Global eSIM Card including calling/texting

• 1 GB data + 10 minutes + 10 sms for 7 days = $9 USD
• 2 GB data + 20 minutes + 20 sms for 15 days = $17 USD
• 3 GB data + 30 minutes + 30 sms for 30 days = $24 USD
• 5 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 sms for 60 days = $35 USD
• 10 GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms for 180 days = $59 USD
• 20 GB data + 200 minutes + 200 sms for 365 days = $69 USD

The above data packages are valid in 130 countries:

• Europe: every European country is covered, including: UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and Greenland.
• North America: USA, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador
• Asia: China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Macau, Philippines, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan.
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay.
• Middle East: Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen.
• Africa: Sudan, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Gabon, Eswatini, Central African Republic, Chad, Tunisia, Tanzania, Seychelles, Senegal, Reunion, Kenya, Congo DRC, Republic of Congo, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Mali, Madagascar.

Big plus is that the Airalo Global Discover+ eSIM card is 5G ready in many countries.

Click here for more info or to order a Discover Global eSIM Card including calls/sms directly online via Airalo .

Review Discover Global eSIM Card

I am very overwhelmed with the amount of countries and especially the exact countries. Almost all the countries above are well known tourist destinations around the world. Fact is that the Discover Global eSIM card is one of the best sim cards for traveling in Africa. It also is by far the best for traveling in South America and Asia. It literally covers almost all countries in these continents.

Personally I have a Discover Global eSIM card activated on my phone as well. I bought the 20 GB valid for 1 year and using it a lot when I go to countries for just a couple days like when I was in Qatar, visiting family in Netherlands for 3 days, a couple days in Turkey, etc. To me this international eSIM card is a game changer! Traveltomtom loves the Discover Global eSIM card.

The downside of the Airalo Discover Global eSim card is that in some lesser known countries like Greenland, Belarus, Gibraltar, Eswatini, Central African Republic, etc. the max data speed is 3G. The performance in these countries is pretty disappointing.

But that said, I mostly only use my Global eSim card from Airalo only for the first hours/day when I am in a new country. Then I mostly opt for a local prepaid sim card, especially in the lesser known countries off the beaten path.

Click here for more info about the Discover Global eSIM Card from Airalo .

2. Jetpac Global

Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider and is trying to conquer the market with some incredible eSIM card plans for traveling the world.

At the moment their Jetpac Global eSIM card is valid in 100+ countries. Pretty much all of Europe and East Asia plus Australia, New Zealand, USA and many more countries and Jetpac constantly tries to add countries to the list.

Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gibraltar, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

Asia: Armenia, Bangladesh, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazachstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. 

Pacific: Australia, New Zealand.

Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, USA, Uruguay.

Africa: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Reunion, Tunisia.

This long list of countries where the Jetpac Global eSIM card is valid makes it a perfect eSIM card for traveling to East and Southeast Asia. The only countries missing in South East Asia would be: Singapore, Timor Leste, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos. All other countries in South East Asia are covered.

For traveling to Europe it is a great eSIM, but Jetpac also has separate eSIMs for Europe. See Traveltomtom's list of the best eSIMs for Europe .

Prices and rates Jetpac Global

Jetpac Global is at the moment the cheapest international eSIM as they have an offer for just $1 USD.

• 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
• 3 GB data for 7 days = $10 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
• 25 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $80 USD

Click here to  order a Jetpac Global eSIM card .

The Jetpac Global eSIM card plans are valid for 30 days and the validity starts automatically when it connects for the first time to a network in a country where you can use Jetpac.

Review Jetpac

The Jetpac Global 1 GB data package is obviously a winner at the moment with only $1 USD for 1 GB data in 100+ countries. I am sure this is a promo deal, and it is also only valid for 4 days. Great package to give Jetpac a try though. As long as the deal stands Jetpac is the cheapest international eSIM card for travelling abroad in 2024.

Their 30 GB data pack for $45 USD with a rate of only $1.5 USD per Gigabyte is not bad at all for an eSIM card valid in more than 100 countries. Well done Jetpac!

Personally I just wish these eSIM cards are not just valid for 30 days, but like 100 days or more. That would truly make it easier to travel the world with just 1 sim card.

It is a great eSIM card for traveling the world. Especially in Asia but as well in Europe and Middle East. Traveltomtom also listed Jetpac high on the list of the best prepaid and eSIM cards for traveling to Europe in 2024 .

Jetpac Global is only available as an eSIM card and not as a physical prepaid sim card. The Jetpac Global eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. The Jetpac global eSIMs are not 5G ready.

An extra advantage of Jetpac Global eSIM cards is that they provide free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM card providers offer.

Jetpac is now also offering a free VPN  for all Jetpac eSIM users. For more info check out the Jetpack website .

3. Orange Holiday World  - not available as eSIM

The international sim card with data that covers EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Yes, with this prepaid travel sim you have data roaming included in 197 countries and that is the reason why I listed it as number 1.

The price? It is good compared to other similar sim cards.

Down sides of this Orange international sim card is that you can NOT make or receive phone calls, it is a pure data-only sim card only and this sim card does not come with a phone number. The Orange Holiday World sim card is only valid for 14 days. After these 14 days you can top up online, but it is complicated.

This international prepaid sim card is only offed by SimOptions, one of the most trusted sim card providers on the internet.

Click here to directly order an Orange Holiday World as a prepaid sim card via SimOptions .

Orange was initially referred to as France Telecom. As of today, the network has more than 250 million customers worldwide thanks to its big value data plans and free roaming in EVERY country in the world.

Unfortunately the Orange Holiday World sim card is NOT available as an eSIM, only as physical prepaid sim card.

Prices and rates Orange Holiday World

The Orange Holiday World international sim card costs $49.90 USD and comes with max 10 GB data included. The volume of the package depends on your destination(s).

You get 10 GB data if you travel to any EU country and/or any of the other countries in Zone 1: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Botswana, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Liberia, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam

The Orange Holiday World sim card allows you to use 5 GB data in Zone 2: Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Dominican Republic, Uruguay.

You get 1 GB data in: Afghanistan, Belarus, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Sri Lanka, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Togo, Venezuela

In any other country you get 50 MB. That is obvious not a lot and actually pretty useless.

If at any point, you run out of data, calls, or texts, you can top up your sim card online from the Orange website. The same package then costs you only €29 EUR ($31 USD) and you get again up to 10 GB data.

Review Orange Holiday World

If you are traveling to any of the countries listed in Zone 1 or Zone 2 then the Orange Holiday World is an excellent prepaid global sim card that I would recommend to buy.

Personally I wish the package would be valid for a little more than 14 days and I am missing some countries in the Caribbean that could be useful to add as these are popular tourist destinations for people traveling from the USA.

There is NO activation needed as the sim card automatically activates upon insertion in your phone, tablet or WiFi device. It is like plug and play. The credit validity starts when the sim card connects the first time to a supported network. Basically when the plane lands.

Lots of travelers from different parts of the world opt for Orange Holiday World because they are generous with data and cheap compared to other international sim cards. Therefore I call Orange Holiday World one of the best prepaid data sim card for traveling the world.

However, if you are traveling to countries listed in Zone 3 or 4 the Orange Holiday World sim card is NOT the best buy. Orange is also not a great sim card for traveling in the Caribbean.

The Orange Holiday World sim card also a great prepaid sim card for Africa as it covers a wide range of countries with 10 GB data roaming, especially in Central and West Africa. For East Africa check my prepaid sim card guides per country: Egypt , Kenya , Tanzania , South Africa , Uganda , Ethiopia  or the eSIM below which is ranked as the best international sim card for traveling in Africa.

Click here for more info about the Orange Holiday World sim card .

Orange does offer amazing eSIM plans for traveling to multiple countries, but these are only valid in Europe.

As you can see above these are amazing sim card deals and valid in 39 countries, but limited to Europe only. This makes these one of the best eSIM cards for traveling in Europe .

Click here to order this Orange eSIM cards for traveling in Europe via SimOptions .

4. Nomad - Data eSIM for Global

Nomad is a fairly new player on the eSIM market, but Traveltomtom has used and tested many Nomad eSIM in the last months. They sometimes have exceptional good deals for some destinations. Traveltomtom discovered that Nomad has amazing eSIM deals for Dubai for example.

However, the international eSIMs from Nomad are rather expensive. They are valid in more than 100 countries though.

Nomad offers data-only eSims from eSIM Go and 1GLOBAL. The eSIM Go plans are valid in 106 countries and the 1GLOBAL plans are valid in 109 countries.

eSIM Go plans

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $12 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $36 USD

The eSIM Go plans from Nomad are valid in 106 countries and in some countries 5G ready.

1GLOBAL plans

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $25 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD

The Truphone eSIM cards are valid in 109 countries and are also 5G ready in several countries.

Click here to order a a Global eSIM via Nomad .

Nomad eSIM specifications

From the moment you buy a 1GLOBAL eSIM card you have 60 days to activate the eSIM card, the eSIM Go sim cards have to be activated within 30 days. Top-ups are available. 5G is supported in some countries, in other countries the max data speed is 4G/LTE. The eSIM cards you buy via Nomad are all data-only and do NOT come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported.

Here are the 109 countries where the 1GLOBAL eSIM card is valid.

• Europe: every European country is covered, including: UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Russia
• North America: USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, Grenada, Jamaica, Honduras, Turks & Caicos
• Asia: China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Armenia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Macau, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Kazachstan
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Fiji
• South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana
• Middle East: UAE, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
• Africa: Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Mayotte, Reunion, Tanzania

The eSIM Go eSIM cards are pretty much valid in the exact same countries.

The Nomad Global eSIM cards are great for traveling in North America, South America and even Pacific as it covers a lot of countries in these continents.

For traveling in Europe it is way too expensive. Check out my list of the best prepaid and eSIM cards for traveling in Europe in 2024  for much cheaper deals.

Click here for  more info about the Nomad Global esim cards .

Holafly is a popular eSIM provider and has to be part of this comparison. They have eSIM cards for all popular tourist destinations around the world.

Holafly only works with eSIM cards with unlimited data and Traveltomtom is NOT a fan of using sim cards with unlimited data.

This is because unlimited is not truly unlimited, not at data at high speed. There is a so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP) and if you go over that quota your data speed is reduced to basically an E signal. Barely enough to send photos through WhatsApp. Social Media apps won't be working anymore.

Anyway... here are the Holafly international eSIMs.

In fact, Holafly does not have a global plan which is for example valid in several countries on different continents. Holafly has different eSIM cards per continent:

• North America
• Latin America

The rates per regional eSIM differ a little bit but in general comes down to the following plans:

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD

The Holafly eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE network and are not 5G ready.

Review Holafly

Traveltomtom has tried out Holafly in several different countries and with mixed feeling. Apart from experiencing reduced internet speed Traveltomtom was also not happy with the data speed of Holafly eSIMs. Especially inside buildings popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram were not working smooth.

Lately Traveltomtom went on a trip to Colombia and tried out Holafly again as a test and it was a disaster. In Colombia Holafly is using the Movistar network, the weakest mobile data network in Colombia, see my Colombia prepaid sim card guide for a comparison of the 4G/5G network of Movistar, Claro and Tigo.

Truth is that I was pretty much offline as in the Northern regions of Colombia there is basically no Movistar signal. After a couple days I couldn't handle it any more. Holafly was a big fail and I went to a Claro store to buy a local prepaid sim card.

6. Surfroam

A Surfroam international sim card is a data only global sim card. With mobile coverage in 200+ countries and territories as they state on the Surfroam website.

You can not receive and make phone calls however you can receive sms. Also Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and Viber are unlimited and always accessible when buying a Surfroam prepaid travel sim card.

Prices and rates Surfroam

At Surfroam they offer 2 products: a normal sim card for €15 EUR ($16.4 USD) and an eSIM for €20 EUR ($22 USD). Basically Surfroam is a free international prepaid sim card as you get either €15 EUR ($16.4 USD) or €20 EUR ($22 USD) credit INCLUDED.

The common rate for most Western countries is €0.01 per MB, which means €10 EUR ($11 USD) per 1 GB data. They charge you per MB. See here a quick overview of the costs per MB per continent.

Review Surfroam

As opposed to other world sim cards, with Surfroam you don't need to buy data bundles in advance. This flexibility appeals to long-term travelers or those hopping between different countries of the world constantly.

Also a big plus of Surfroam is that they are providing a 'free' international sim card, what you pay, you get back in credit.

Overall, the Surfroam data roaming rates and its pricing model is flexible and easy to understand. Compared to other international sim cards this is very clear, transparent AND MUCH CHEAPER!

There is data roaming coverage in over 200 countries and territories and per country is stated how much they charge per MB.

One of the negative sides of Surfroam are the steep shipping costs. For most Western countries you already pay more than $20 USD, for the USA Surfroam adds even $25 USD shipping fee. Therefore I would recommend you buying the Surfroam eSIM travel sim card instead to save on shipping costs.

Also when looking at the rates per MB of the countries in Africa, it is an easy conclusion that Surfroam is a good sim cards for traveling in Africa, but not so much for South America.

For more info check out the  Surfroam  website.

Traveltomtom traveled to more than 70% of the countries in Africa and wrote detailed sim card guides for the following countries in Africa: Kenya , Nairobi ,  Tanzania , Ethiopia , Djibouti , South Africa , Uganda , Gabon , Cameroon , Congo Brazzaville ,  Rwanda , Burundi ,  Namibia , Lesotho , Zambia ,  Egypt , Ghana , Sao Tome & Principe , Ivory Coast and many more. If you travel to any of these countries I would recommend you to check the link.

KeepGo is an official partner of Vodafone, Telefonica, and AT&T with offices in Israel, the USA, and the Netherlands and operates on 500 connected networks in more than 100 countries. The Keepgo international sim card is a data only sim card and does NOT support any incoming or outgoing calls & text.

Prices and rates KeepGo

Gofi prepaid data sim card - $39 usd.

This is a sim card just for Europe and the USA. With this pay as you go sim card you pay $8 / GB data, regardless where in Europe or the USA you are.

Not great for world travelers, but may be if you travel between the USA and Europe a lot.

Lifetime Prepaid Data Sim Card - $49 USD

This international sim card works in more than 100 countries and comes with 1 GB data included.

If you want more data you will have to add one of the data packages below:

• $14 USD= 500 MB
• $26 USD = 1 GB
• $61 USD = 3 GB
• $88 USD = 5 GB
• $165 USD = 10 GB

Click here to order a KeepGo international sim card .

The data packages are valid for 1 year! If you top up once per year, all data is valid for lifetime.

The Keepgo Lifetime Prepaid Data Sim Card is valid in all of Europe and the following countries & territories:

Algeria, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Russia, Saoudi Arbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunesia, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Review Keepgo

Buying a Keepgo global sim card it self is rather expensive as you pay $49 and only get 1 GB included. Good thing is that Traveltomtom readers can get a 10% discount by applying the KeepGo Coupon Code: TRAVELTOMTOM. They also sell WiFi hotspots for international travel.

The Keepgo data package prices are rather expensive, but compared to other international sim cards they have better prices than for example OneSimCard, Travsim and Gosim and therefore they deserve spot number 6 in this list of the cheapest international travel sim cards in the world.

Coverage wise the Keepgo sim card has some specific advantages. Looking at the list of countries where Keepgo offers free data roaming I come to the conclusion that Keepgo is also one of the best international sim cards for the Caribbean. They cover almost every island, territory and country in this pristine part of the world.

Keepgo offers free shipping worldwide which is another great plus. For more info check the KeepGo website .

If traveling to the Caribbean it is definitely recommended to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival. Prepaid sim cards with data are cheap. Check out Traveltomtom's sim card guides for: Aruba , Curacao , Jamaica , Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic , Antigua & Barbuda .

8. Know Roaming

They call themselves the ultimate travel sim card you will only ever need to stay connected in 200+ countries & territories.

Prices and rates Know Roaming

The price for a Know Roaming Travel SIM card is $9,99 and does NOT come with any credit. Know Roaming international sim cards do NOT support incoming and outgoing phone calls. You can opt for a Know Roaming eSIM which is for free.

You will have to buy any of the below data packages to use your sim card abroad:

• Global: 5 GB data for 30 days in 79 countries = $99.99 USD
• Europe: 5 GB data for 30 days = $39.99 USD
• Asia: 5 GB data for 30 days = $39.99* USD

* valid in: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

Know Roaming also offers an international eSIM card service with data plans for Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East & Global.

• Asia: 5 GB data for 30 days = $39.99 USD
• Caribbean: 1 GB data for 30 days = $39.99* USD
• Latin America: 5 GB data for 30 days = $117.99** USD
• Middle East: 5 GB data for 30 days = $40.99*** USD
• Global: 5 GB data for 30 days = $110.99**** USD

* valid in: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands.

** valid in: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico, Uruguay.

*** valid in: Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Saoudi Arabia, Qatar.

**** valid in Europe & some popular tourist destinations around the world + some off the beaten path countries.

Review Know Roaming

Compared to other international sim card services the Know Roaming sim card is cheap: just $10. Their global data packages are average priced compared to other services and you can choose per continent.

For the Know Roaming eSIM you only pay for the data package which is a great service and therefore prices are cheaper than other services.

Know Roaming is one of the best prepaid international sim cards for the Caribbean as they cover almost every island, however data roaming is expensive. The Know Roaming Latin America sim card is way overpriced and not recommended at all. Instead Know Roaming is one of the best sim cards for Asia.

For more info about the Know Roaming travel sim card check their website .

9. Travelsim

A Travelsim international sim card works in 135+ countries, covers 170+ countries and states to work in 200 countries. All information found on their homepage! Just like free incoming calls and text. Well, I bet some of this is true at least.

Prices and rates Travelsim

Travelsim offers a world sim card for $10 USD and an eSIM card for $6. When buying a Travelsim sim card it also suddenly states free incoming calls in 70+ countries and coverage in 135+ countries. :)

Their pricing and rates are clear and straight forward though.

Review Travelsim

When ordering a Travelsim international sim card prices are easy to understand, however more expensive than other global sim cards and therefore not my prefered sim card for travelers. They offer free shipping worldwide on orders over $50 USD and their calling credit is valid for 18 months. For more info check the Travelsim website .

10. GigSky eSIM Card

GigSky does NOT sell physical sim cards anymore and only offers an international eSIM card. There are multiple data packages available some with pretty good deals. Gigsky is a data only service, you can NOT make or receive phone calls/sms.

Gigsky has coverage in 116 countries. Their coverage in Africa is very limited.

Prices and rates Gigsky

Great thing is that the Gigsky eSIM cards are free, but you will need to download their app to use their service. Through the app you can buy your desired data bundles. They offer regional data packages as well as a World Plan.

There are multiple Regional Plans, a great one is the Latin America sim card, and there is 1 world sim card with fixed data bundle prices.

Review Gigsky

Some of the offered international data roaming plans are pretty decent. Overall Gigsky is one of the best sim cards for traveling in South America with 5GB in almost every country in Latin America for just $40 USD.

Compared to other international travel sim cards the Gigsky worldwide sim card is expensive with 5GB data for $60 USD and therefore I would NOT recommend using the Gigsky eSIM card for traveling the world. The international sim card deals above are much better value for money!

Or check out the following sim card guides:

• Traveling to Europe? Check out my article about the best sim cards for Europe .
• Traveling to Asia? Check out my article about the best sim cards for Asia .
• Traveling to the USA? Check out my article about the best sim cards for USA .

For example buying a sim card in Vietnam will cost you $9 USD and gets you 2 GB data PER DAY + 60 minutes calling time valid for 30 days. Just saying, that local prepaid sim cards are amazing alternatives to international prepaid sim cards.

However, nowadays the easiest way to stay connected are eSIM cards and you can buy an eSIM card on the internet for pretty much every country. Here are some of the latest Traveltomtom eSIM card guides: Italy , France , USA , Thailand .

11. OneSimCard

According to many websites OneSimCard takes the cup when it comes to the cheapest international sim card. But is this true? Let's see...

This prepaid mobile service provider is a product of US telecommunication carrier Belmont Telecom. At OneSimCard they say they operate in 200+ countries, but there are only 197 countries in the world!? Bit of a weird start…

The international sim cards offered by OneSimCard come with two numbers, an Estonian one (Europe) and one of your choice: USA, Canada, Australia.

Prices and rates OneSimCard

Anyway at OneSimCard they offer 4 different international sim cards:

Universal SIM - $29.95 USD

• Calling & texting in more than 160 countries*
• Free incoming calls in more than 120 countries
• Free incoming sms in more than 160 countries
• Data roaming in more than 160 countries*
• Free $10 credit

*For using data and make calls/sms you will have to buy additional data or voice packages.

Expedition SIM - $34.95 USD

• Calling & texting in more than 200 countries*
• Free incoming calls in more than 110 countries
• Free incoming sms in more than 200 countries
• Data roaming in more than 170 countries*

Europe & More SIM - $19.95 USD

• Calling & texting in more than 100 countries*
• Free incoming calls in more than 70 countries
• Free incoming sms in more than 100 countries
• Data roaming in more than 90 countries*

This is no physical sim card, but a digital SIM. It allows you to have a data/call package activated through a provider without using a physical sim card. It mostly works by installing an app.

At OneSimCard they offer an international eSIM for $9,95. It does NOT come with any credit, you will have to buy data and calling bundles at extra charge through the OneSIMVoIP app.

The OneSimCard eSIM comes with a European number and has coverage in over 160 countries. There is no shipping needed as you can download it on your phone instantly.

Additional data roaming packages

OneSimCard makes use of two different zones. In Zone A you will find mostly all western countries as well as the standard tourist destinations in the world. In Zone B will find more off the beaten path countries.

The OneSimCard data plan prices are pretty expensive. Here are some examples:

• Universal SIM - Zone A - 5 GB data - 30 days = $90 USD
• Universal SIM - Zone B - 5 GB data - 30 days = $199 USD
• Expedition SIM - Zone A - 2 GB data - 30 days = $20 USD
• Expedition SIM - Zone B - 2 GB data - 30 days = $99 USD
• Europe & More SIM - Zone A - 3 GB data - 30 days = $50 USD
• Europe & More SIM - Zone B - 3 GB data - 30 days = $99 USD

These are examples of kind of standard tourist data packages. Well if you ask me… EXPENSIVE!

Review OneSimCard

Personally I think OneSimCard is very expensive. First off they basically make you pay for an international sim card that has no packages included. When you take away the $10 USD free credit you are still paying $10 USD just for an international sim card only. When buying the Expedition SIM even $24.95 USD

It also states everywhere data roaming from $0.01 cent per MB. Well, I have tried to look for that country, but I can't find it! Instead, I found out that basically all Western countries you pay $0.25 cent per MB. That is 25x more!

That also means $10 credit is just 40 MB, that is basically opening Instagram 1x and your credit is gone! Oh for example roaming in Algeria cost $1.75 per MB with a Universal SIM and $25 USD per MB with an Expedition SIM. That is $1,000 USDjust for opening Instagram! I am dying… :)

So other international sim card comparisons that recommend OneSimCard... I think are a joke!

All that glitters is not gold in the global sim card world and as you can predict I do not recommend buying a OneSimCard for using data abroad, but just for receiving calls they are ok. For more info check the OneSimCard website .

To put this all in perspective:  buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland , one of worlds most expensive countries, will cost you $20 USD and but it comes with $20 USD credit. Then you activate 24 hours unlimited high speed internet for $3 USD in Switzerland. That means for $21 USD you have 1 week UNLIMITED high speed internet when buying a local sim card in Swiss.

Conclusion of OneSimCard: really expensive data roaming plans and therefore is OneSimCard not directly recommended for using as an international sim card for traveling the world.

12. WorldSIM

Another global sim card that claims to be a free international sim card, well… A WorldSIM International travel sim card is only 'free' if you add €120 EUR ($131 USD) credit to it! Not a great start when Traveltomtom is reviewing your service.

WorldSIM offers a data roaming only sim card as well as an international sim card for calling/texting. They are priced equally, however data roaming with the calling/texting sim card is much more expensive. The data sim card offers data roaming in 188 countries.

Prices and rates WorldSIM

The cheapest deal you can find on WorldSIM is €42 EUR ($46 USD). You will get a global sim card with €24 EUR ($26 USD) credit.

Just like for example OneSimCard they claim data roaming rates from 0,01 cents but I can't find that country. In most Western countries and popular tourist destinations data roaming starts from 0,02 cents.

Review WorldSIM

For a reason it is only listed at spot X in my comparison of the best international sim cards. WorldSIM is pretty expensive and the cheapest data roaming is €20 EUR ($22 USD) per 1 GB data.

Most countries off the beaten path are VERY expensive. Don't go to Cuba, that costs you more than $3 USD per MB, that is $3,000 USD per 1 GB or what about the Caribbean countries? About $0.30 per MB, that is $300 USD per 1 GB.

When looking for an international sim card for traveling the world then Traveltomtom does NOT recommend WorldSIM, simply because there are much cheaper options available. For more info check the Worldsim website .

Prepaid tourist sim cards vs. international sim cards

But before buying an international prepaid or eSIM card for your trip abroad I want to make you aware of the existence of local prepaid sim cards as well. Because the main reason I am writing this blog post is for you to save money on high roaming costs when traveling. In most cases local prepaid sim cards are the cheapest way to get data on your phone.

There is a big difference between local prepaid sim cards for tourists and international travel sim cards. While the former is great for traveling in 1 country, an international sim card is a great option for travelers who don't intend to stay in a country for very long and visit multiple countries on one trip.

An exception is a European sim card. There are international sim cards created just for Europe, but also a lot of local prepaid sim cards in Europe allow FREE roaming within the EU. But it is a bit more complicated with a lot of small letters full of restrictions.

Click here for more information about buying a local prepaid sim card in Europe in 2024  or check my list of the best prepaid and eSIM cards for Europe travel in 2024 .

For example all the below listed international sim cards claim to cover Africa. Yes, they are not lying, but the rates per MB are averaging around $0.10, that means 100 MB will cost you $10. That can be as little as using Instagram for about 10 minutes.

Comparing this to a local prepaid sim card for tourists in Uganda  where the same $10 gives you more than 15 GB data for 1 month, you can understand why Traveltomtom recommends a local prepaid sim card over a global sim card in some countries.

What is cheaper?

A local prepaid sim card for tourists gives you often more value for money than an international sim card. Therefore in the beginning of this article I told you that you will have to decide whether you want to buy an international sim card for traveling abroad or buying a local prepaid sim card for tourists on arrival.

Because I am aiming to travel to every country in the world  and I buy a sim card in every country I visit I also already wrote already more than 200 guides for buying sim cards:  London , Paris , Tanzania , Lebanon ,  Rome , USA , Canada , Mexico , South Africa ,  Guatemala , Honduras ,  Turkey , Israel , Dubai , Thailand , Kenya ,  Indonesia , Sydney , Singapore ,  Vietnam , UK , Spain , Italy , France , Norway , Georgia , Colombia , Dominican Republic  and many more.

Local prepaid sim cards are often pretty cheap and come with big value data bundles. Most countries and operators have special tourist sim cards. Downside is that you can only buy them on arrival, so you have to visit a phone store during your holiday or get one from the airport.

In most countries they only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists and eSIM cards are not available.

But where local prepaid sim cards stop working, international sim cards continue to roam. With a sim card designed with overseas travel in mind, you will be online as soon as the plane touches the ground.

With international sim cards, you can cross borders and continue to enjoy data on your phone browsing the internet, make/receive calls, and send texts as if you are still at home all with the same sim card.

Crossing many borders in a short period of time? International travel sim cards are the best solution! Which one? Personally I recommend eSIM cards for traveling in 2024, but check my list below.

Where can you buy an international sim card?

Buying an international sim card can only be done on the internet often through a third party. In this article I will show you the best websites where to buy a global sim card for world travelers and I will link directly to the operators so in case you are interested you can have a look on their websites for more details.

International sim cards for traveling the world are available as physical prepaid sim cards as well as eSIM cards. Physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address and eSIM cards will be send to you as a QR code in your email.

Where can you buy local prepaid sim cards for tourists

Local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in a store or kiosk in the destination itself. In almost every country you will find local prepaid sim card shops on arrival at the international airport. On Traveltomtom you can find sim card guides for more than 100 airports around the world: Bangkok , Jakarta , Manila ,  Bali , Hong Kong , Singapore , Shanghai ,  Sydney , Istanbul , Cairo , Dubai , New York , Miami , London , Rome , Paris , Madrid , Barcelona ,  Amsterdam and many more.

Keep in mind that buying a local prepaid sim card on an international airport is mostly more expensive. You can get better prepaid sim card deals from official retail stores in city centers, shopping malls or from random mobile phone shops.

In some countries you can also buy local prepaid sim cards in convenience stores, gas stations or supermarkets. Keep in mind when buying a local prepaid sim card in any of these shops that you will mostly have to activate the sim card yourself. That means it is not plug and play.

Two things that both local and international sim cards have in common is that they avoid high roaming costs!

International sim cards with unlimited data

Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIM cards with unlimited data. In most cases 'unlimited' does NOT mean 'unlimited' and there is always a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy). Holafly is one of those eSIM card providers that sell international eSIM cards with unlimited data, but they have a strict FUP. Always read the small letters to not get surprised!

In the past I often had negative experiences with sim cards with unlimited data. If one day you use more than the FUP limit you have to wait 24 hours for your data speed to get restored. Those 24 hours your international sim card with unlimited data is pretty much useless. It is simply really inconvenient.

If you buy an international sim card with for example 30 GB data and you are going on a holiday for 10 days then you should have more than enough data. Those 30 GB data sim cards are pretty much the same as a sim card with unlimited data in these cases. But you will not need to be worried about the Fair Use Policy and data speed reduction.

Can international sim cards connect from everywhere?

Technically speaking – yes. International sim cards are designed to work in multiple countries, but as you have read above there are a ton of restrictions. An international sim card isn't programmed to one specific network. Instead, it operates on several networks in different geographical locations and can therefore be used in multiple countries.

International sim cards usually operate on networks that use the GSM framework. GSM stands for Global Systems Management Communications. Once the sim card is inserted, it connects to one of the local networks automatically if the plan you chose works in the country you are traveling to.

If you intend to use your phone with an international sim card, you have to make sure your phone is unlocked as well as eSIM compatible in case you are choosing to use an eSIM card over a physical prepaid sim card.

International sim cards only work in unlocked phones

As previously mentioned, you need an unlocked phone for the international sim card to work. A cell that comes with a sim lock can only be used within a defined cellular network and is blocked for any other networks.

This mostly applies to phones bought in the USA, Canada. Phones bought in Europe, Australia, Middle East are mostly unlocked.

There's no need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a new phone if you can get your current one unlocked by your carrier. Once your phone has been unlocked, you can easily switch to any local or international sim card whenever you need to.

If you have a sim lock, I recommend you to unlock your phone before your trip. Contact your local mobile service provider to ask them to unlock the phone and find out if you're required to pay any unlocking charge.

Do you really need an international sim card?

International sim cards are also referred to as travel sim cards and that is simply because of how convenient they can be for travelers visiting multiple countries. If you don't want to worry about roaming charges while you are traveling abroad and crossing broders, you can purchase an international sim card.

But if you are visiting just one country on your trip abroad you can easily opt for a local prepaid sim card or an eSIM card for that specific country and there is no direct need to buy an international sim card that is valid in multiple countries.

If you use a lot of data then in general local prepaid sim cards are cheaper than eSIM cards, but eSIM cards are much more convenient as you can order them already online before your trip and as soon as the plane lands you are online.

On Traveltomtom you will find more than 200 sim card guides from all around the world: Tajikistan , Papua New Guinea , Uzbekistan , Izmir , Marseille , Tashkent , Algeria , Curacao , Zurich , Bangkok , Bali , Micronesia , Miami , Manila , Shanghai , Philippines , Brazil , Mexico , Zambia , Ghana  and many more.

With a prepaid sim card you are always in control of your bills!

I cannot stress enough about the importance of staying connected while you travel. International sim cards avoid being charged exorbitant data roaming charges. Enjoy low and affordable rates with no hidden fees by getting an international sim card.

Which international sim card is the best? Did you already pick from all the great options that I recommended you? Of course Traveltomtom recommends the ones on top of the list more than the options on the bottom. The last ones are the least recommended but I just wanted to give you all the options, so you could make up your own mind about which international sim card you are going to use for your trip abroad.

I am sure that at least some of the the above tips for buying an international sim card were helpful.

Summerizing:

Remember that there are several factors that you need to put into consideration such as country coverage, prices for data plans, data speed 4G/LTE/5G, calling options, data-only, SMS packages, credit validity and duration/validity.

At the end of the day, the best international sim card is the one that suits your needs and your trip.

If you have any more questions please feel free to leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.

Since Traveltomtom is on a journey to travel to every country in the world I get to a new country regularly. Everywhere I go I buy a new local prepaid sim card or I order an eSIM card on the internet. In my bag I have a collection of about 200 little prepaid sim cards from all over the world, but nowadays I use eSIM cards pretty much all the time because they are so convenient.

Is this article was helpful please consider helping me in return by sharing this article in the internet. Every tweet on X, post to Reddit, share in a Facebook Group or pin on Pinterest is worth a lot to me. Thanks in advance!

Looking for some extra travel inspiration? Check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom and get fuelled by my journey to visit every country in the world . As of August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Travel & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

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• GENERAL TRAVEL

What is the Best SIM Card for International Travel?

Liz is a collector of grand adventures. She first discovered her passion for meaningful travel wh...

• General Travel
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While traveling abroad is always a great opportunity to tune out and disconnect from the chaos of everyday life, it can also be extremely challenging to find yourself in a new country without any source of connection to your surroundings. Paying for an international phone plan can be expensive, but luckily it’s possible to find a source of connection without breaking the bank.

International SIM cards give you the best of both worlds. Here you’ll find the best SIM card for international travel for every type of traveler. There are endless options out there and the best one will depend on your travel plans. All in all, international SIM cards offer an affordable and temporary opportunity to stay connected while traveling abroad by giving you access to your phone and wireless data across multiple countries around the world. Another option is to purchase mobile top-ups through apps like Boss Revolution , which can send top-ups to over 270 carriers in more than 100 countries.

Why use an international SIM?

No need to ditch your connection while you’re off on your international adventure. The best travel SIMs have you covered!

International SIM cards unlock a whole new travel experience. While it can be tempting to ditch the phone on your next overseas adventure , having access to data while traveling abroad is important for two reasons: It keeps you safe and makes travel a whole lot more convenient.

After all, it’s not always possible to rely on WiFi when traveling abroad, and unless you have an expensive international phone plan, you risk being stranded in an unfamiliar place without basic information to make travel fun, safe, and easy.

International SIM cards are a bit different from local SIM cards. While it’s possible to buy local SIM cards when you arrive at your destination, these are best suited for travelers who are staying in one location for an extended period of time.

Local SIM cards can be a great option for those studying or working abroad , but if you’re traveling for shorter stints or across multiple countries, buying a local SIM card in each destination can be a hassle. International SIM cards give you access to data across multiple destinations and are often considered the best travel SIMs if you want to have the freedom to cross borders.

Where to buy your international SIM card

Stay in touch with your bestie from back home with an international SIM card.

If you want to stay connected throughout your travels and are wondering where to buy international SIM cards to prepare for your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind when weighing your options. Ask yourself:

• Where are you traveling?
• For how long will you travel?
• Are you going to multiple countries or one destination?
• What do you plan to use your phone for while abroad?

If you’re planning to stay in one location for an extended period of time, you can often buy local SIM cards when you arrive in the country. But if you want to buy an international SIM card in preparation for travel across multiple countries, your only option is to purchase one online.

Do your research on the best SIM card for international travel and consider which one suits your needs best. Once you weigh the pros and cons and work out the nitty gritty of your trip abroad , you can pre-purchase the best international SIM card for you online before you go. Then you’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive at the destination of your dreams.

8 best SIM cards for international travel

There’s an international SIM card perfect for your travel plans out there.

You may be wondering, what is the best international SIM card for Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or wherever your wanderlust takes you next? The truth is, while there are some international SIM cards that are best suited for certain regions of the world, there are also some that can take you all around the globe without limitations.

The best SIM card for international travel will depend highly on what you want to use it for and how much you want to invest. Here are some of the best travel SIMs to explore before you go:

1. Breeze eSim

• Pros : Breeze eSim is a great option for travelers who don't want to worry about keeping track of separate physical SIMs while abroad. They offer coverage with over 1000 mobile networks worldwide, as well as multiple networks per destination for increased coverage. You'll be covered in more than 190 countries through their various bundles. Plans can be purchased for specific countries within the regions where they have coverage.
• Cons : Depending on your phone model and network provider at home, you may not be able to use an eSim.
• Coverage area : North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean, and Global.
• Base cost : $0
• Monthly cost : Varies by region, but starts at $8.50 / month in Europe and country plans as low as $1.95.

2. OneSimCard

• Pros : Thanks to its wide coverage area, OneSimCard is one of the best travel SIMs for those who are traveling between multiple countries and regions. This is another eSIM, which means you won’t have to worry about removing and keeping track of your original SIM card or juggling between multiple SIMs as you travel across borders. Unlike other eSIMS, you can opt for a data+call package, which allows you to make international calls while abroad.
• Cons : One of the biggest cons to OneSimCard is that the website isn’t very user-friendly compared to other international SIM cards. That means purchasing and top ups may be a little more difficult than other options. OneSimCard is also a more expensive option, as you don’t get as much data for your investment.
• Coverage area : Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
• Base cost : $20
• Monthly cost : Ranges from $20-$100, depending on location
• Pros : Jetpac is the best SIM option for global coverage across multiple destinations. It removes the need to switch eSIMs, with a one-time installation that doesn't expire. Jetpac allows topping up new data packages in-app, as well as tethering to other devices. They provide affordable data coverage in over 50 countries—and even complimentary access to 1100 airport lounges globally in case of flight delay!
• Cons: Jetpac is data only, so you won't receive a local number or have access to text and "landline" calls. 
• Coverage area: Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, North America 
• Base cost: $0
• Monthly cost: Varies per region and country, but starts from $1/1GB trial on the global pack to $28 / month for 10GB data, valid 30 days when connected overseas
• Pros : Nomad is one of the best travel SIMs for travelers in Europe and the USA because it is an official partner to some of the top networks in both regions, allowing travelers to stay connected to more than 500 networks across over 100 countries. One of the perks of Nomad is its lifetime plan option. If you frequently travel abroad and want to stick with the same international SIM card for all of your overseas escapades, you can purchase data packages that are valid for one year—and if you top up within the year, you can continue to use your SIM the next year too.
• Cons : Similar to GigSky, Nomad is a data-only SIM, which means you won’t be able to make calls or send texts abroad. It also requires you to input part of the SIM number when topping up data, which means you’ll have to keep track of this for years if you plan to keep using the card for future travels.
• Coverage area : All of Europe plus Algeria, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
• Base cost : $14 for 500MB
• Monthly cost : Data packages (valid indefinitely) range from $14 for 500MB to $165 for 10GB

5. Three UK

• Pros : Three UK is one of the best international SIM cards for travelers, especially those traveling from the UK. It provides you with a UK phone number that allows calling and texting for free across more than 70 countries, as well as flexible pay-as-you-go data plans. It’s one of the cheapest and best international SIM cards for Europe that includes calls, texts, and data, and one of the best travel SIMs for Latin America.
• Cons : One of the biggest cons to using Three UK is the process for topping up your data. If you plan to travel for more than 30 days, you can only top up your data using a UK registered credit card. This is no big deal for UK residents, but if you don’t have access to a UK card, you’ll only be able to use the plan for calls and texts after the first month.
• Coverage area : All of Europe plus Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Macao, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, United States Virgin Islands, USA, and Vietnam.
• Base cost : $39.90
• Monthly cost : $39.90 / month for 12GB data + unlimited texts and calls
• Pros: easySim is the perfect travel companion, enabling travelers to stay connected without the fear of a huge bill when they get home. Simply purchase a data bundle from easySim.global, install the eSIM, and then activate your data bundle when you're ready to travel. The service is available to anyone in the world and you'll find coverage in 150 countries. 
• Cons: easySim provides data-only eSIMs, which do not come with a local telephone number.  
• Coverage area: 150 countries worldwide
• Base cost: $4.50 for 1GB for 7 days in Europe, varies by region
• Monthly cost: From $9 for 3GB in Europe, varies by region

7. KnowRoaming

• Pros : KnowRoaming is one of the most affordable international SIM card options out there with coverage across over 200 countries. It works by locating and connecting to local networks in your destination, which means if you’re in a well-populated area, you’ll always have coverage. It also works on most unlocked devices, whether you want to use it in a phone or tablet.
• Cons : Because KnowRoaming relies on local network connection, it can have difficulty picking up and connecting to networks in remote areas. If you’re planning to travel somewhere that’s more isolated, KnowRoaming won’t be your best option.
• Coverage area : Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, and Global.
• Base cost : $10, which does not come with any credit
• Monthly cost : Varies by location, but starts at $40 / month8.  
• Pros : GigSky is one of the best international SIM cards if you’re looking for a plan that can take you almost anywhere in the world. This SIM card is available in 116 countries and works with most unlocked devices. It’s easy to use and comes as an eSIM, which means you don’t have to deal with swapping physical SIM cards. There are multiple plans to suit your needs, whether you want to use it for a few days, weeks, or months.
• Cons : Because GigSky comes as an eSIM, you won’t receive a local phone number and can’t make phone calls while abroad—it’s a data-only SIM. It’s also one of the more expensive options when it comes to international SIM cards.
• Coverage area : North America, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Middle East/Africa, and Asia Pacific.
• Base cost : $12 for 1GB for 15 days (location dependent)
• Monthly cost : $60 for 5GB worldwide / month

Your travel SIM card means you never have to miss a message from old OR new friends!

Plan Your Next Trip with our Travel Resources Hub!

Best international sim card for europe, orange holiday europe.

• Pros : Orange Holiday is often rated the top SIM card for international travel, and its European version is easily one of the best travel SIMs for exploring this region of the world. It’s easy to install into any unlocked phone and can be used across multiple countries in Europe without changing your preferences on your phone. Orange Holiday is not only the best international SIM card for Europe, but it also allows you to use it in other parts of the world for a reasonable price.
• Cons : One of the biggest cons of Orange Holiday is that it has limited support in some languages. If English isn’t your first language, it may not be user-friendly.
• Coverage area : Andorra, Azores, Aland Islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, the Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Vatican.
• Base cost : $50
• Monthly cost : $50 for 10GB / 14 days

Best SIM card for traveling Asia

Discover global e-sim card.

• Pros : Discover Global eSIM Card can be used worldwide, but it has one of the best coverages of popular Asian destinations, making it the best SIM card for traveling Asia. It’s one of the cheapest options out there and can take you through Asia and around the world if you desire. It also allows you to purchase plans for as short as one week, making it ideal for short-term travelers.
• Cons : Discover Global eSIM doesn’t allow calling and texting, like other eSIMs out there. While it can take you around the world, it doesn’t have very much coverage in Africa—however, you’ll be covered almost anywhere you want to go throughout Asia.
• Coverage area : China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Macau, Philippines, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Global.
• Base cost : $10 / 7 days
• Monthly cost : Plans are available for $10 / week or up to $90 / 3 months

Best international SIM card for Australia and New Zealand

Orange holiday world sim.

• Pros : Orange Holiday World SIM is one of the best travel SIMs in the world. Similar to Orange Holiday Europe, this SIM card is owned by Orange, one of the best and largest mobile providers worldwide. Unlike its European sister, Orange Holiday World allows you to feel connected almost anywhere in the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of Oceania.
• Cons : One of the biggest cons to Orange Holiday is that the plans only last for 14 days. For some, this is ideal, but for those traveling for longer time periods, they may feel limited using this SIM card.
• Coverage area : All EU countries plus Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Botswana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Liberia, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, and Vietnam.

You don’t have to go off the grid while traveling!

You’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime when you find the best SIM card for your international travel plans.

Going off grid is tempting, but overrated. Staying connected while traveling the world enhances your experience and takes the stress out of international travel. With these travel SIM cards, you’ll save money on international roaming while being able to navigate a new city, stay in touch with family at home and new friends you meet along the way, and keep your mind at ease. What could be better than that?

Explore International Data Plans & SIM Cards

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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The best international sim cards for travel | an in-depth data plan buyer’s guide for traveling abroad.

How to find the best international SIM Card and eSIM data plan.

phones and technology

Ensuring your phone has high-speed data when you travel internationally is a confusing and frustrating process for many travelers—in fact, it’s one of the most-asked questions I get from readers. That’s why I wanted to help remove the mystery around international data plans by creating this guide to the best international SIM cards.

Traveling to Europe? Check The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To Smartphones, SIM Cards, and Data Plans in Europe , my guide to How To Buy A SIM Card For Europe , and my guide to the best eSIM Data Plans For Europe .

International SIM Cards vs Single-Country/Local SIM Cards vs Global SIM Cards

Choosing the best international SIM card can be confusing because there are a ton of options and each has its own positives and negatives. So let’s start by defining the overall SIM card categories:

• International SIM cards can often be purchased before your trip so they can be mailed to you before departure or you can download the eSIM if your phone is compatible.
• International SIM Cards will be slightly more expensive than local SIM cards but they’re more convenient—especially if you’re using an eSIM.
• Buying a Local SIM is often the most affordable option but you have the added hassle of having to hunt down a SIM Card after you arrive, dealing with language barriers, and you may need to register the SIM before activation (which may require you to submit your passport and provide a local address)
• NOTE: By EU law, any SIM card bought in the EU will work in any other EU country with no extra charges.
• Global SIM cards are notoriously bad . They’re often run by faceless companies with no customer support and they seem to always have connection issues—just do a search on Amazon and you’ll see a ton of negative feedback. You also typically pay way more and get way less data.
• However, I am a fan of the Orange Holiday World SIM card since it’s owned by Orange—which is one of the largest mobile providers in the world but data is limited in some countries.

E-SIM Data Plans vs (Physical) SIM Card Data Plans

Up until a few years ago, you had to physically remove the plastic SIM card from your phone and install a new SIM card if you wanted to connect to a new mobile provider.

However, many modern phones now let you download a digital eSIM to your phone so you no longer have to deal with physically removing any SIM cards. eSIMs are way more convenient because you don’t have to track down a SIM card and you can often install multiple eSIM cards on your phone (in addition to your physical SIM) so you can have multiple plans on a single phone.

Not all data providers currently offer eSIM data plans so you might have limited plan options—but I imagine this will become the standard over the next few years.

What To Look For In An International SIM Card

Are you still confused about international SIM cards? Don’t worry.

Here are some common things to keep in mind when researching and evaluating all the various international data plan options.

Some SIM Card Plans Are Data Only

Every SIM data plan has different terms when it comes to calls and texts. Many are data only—i.e. no calls or texts. Or some come with local calls and texts but don’t let you make international calls or texts. And others let you make worldwide texts and calls.

Data-only plans tend to be the cheapest while plans that offer worldwide calls/texts are the most expensive.

NOTE: Apple iMessage is sent via data so they’ll work with data-only plans (assuming you’re sending an iMessages to other Apple users). You can also use apps like WhatsApp via data so data-only is typically sufficient.

Not All SIM Data Plans Allow Data Tethering

Data-tethering (i.e. using your phone as a hotspot for other devices like your computer, etc.) isn’t allowed on all data plans so keep that in mind when choosing a data plan.

Global SIM Cards Offer Different Data Limits For Different Countries

Global SIM cards often group countries into different “zones” and each zone will have different data allowances.

For example, “zone one” countries might give you 10GB of data, but “zone two” counties could only give you 5GB of data, and then “zone three” countries might only give you 500MB of data. Check the plan details before buying.

Check The International SIM Card Plan’s Validity Period

Most international SIM cards are valid anywhere from seven to 30 days once you activate your card.

This is something you’ll obviously want to pay attention to since you don’t want your plan to expire before your trip ends. Some plans will let you “top-up” your plan so you can add extra time without having to buy another SIM card, but you’re often only allowed one or two “top-ups” before needing to buy another plan.

Your Phone Must Be Unlocked

Some phones are “carrier locked”—i.e. they’re digitally programmed to only work on your mobile provider’s network. This means it won’t work if you install another network’s SIM card until it’s “unlocked.”

Most mobile providers will unlock your phone if you request it so inquire before leaving as it might require a visit to the store or a few emails/phone calls with tech support.

Best International SIM Cards and eSIM Cards by Region

There isn’t a single “best” international SIM card for everywhere in the world but each region has some good options so that’s why I’ve broken this section down by region.

Orange Holiday World (Great SIM Card For Most Countries In The World)

The Orange Holiday World is a very popular choice for world travelers because it covers just about everywhere in the world and it’s backed by Orange—most “world” SIM cards are backed by no-name companies.

The main downside is that the data plan only lasts for 14 days so it’s not ideal for longer trips but you can top up the card one time for €29 to get another 14 days of service with an additional 10GB of data.

• PRICE:  $50
• DATA:  10GB
• INCLUDES TEXTS OR CALLS?:  NO
• USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?:  Yes
• CREDIT VALID FOR:  14 Days

The Orange Holiday World plan includes 10GB of 4G/LTE data in many countries but there are a few “zones” that have a lower data limit.

Zone 1 (10GB data included) Europe:  Andorra, Azores, Aland islands, Austria, Balearic islands, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Corfu, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Cyclades islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, Vatican

Other countries:  Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (south), Kuwait, Liberia, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, New Zealand, Uganda, Peru, Qatar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, USA, Vietnam

Zone 2 (5GB data included) Albania, Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Dominican Republic, Uruguay

Zone 3 (1GB data included) Afghanistan, Belarus, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Sri Lanka, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Togo, Venezuela

Zone 4 (50MB data included) Rest of the world

HOLAFLY ESIM (Unlimted Data eSIM Plans)

Holafly  is a new data-only eSIM provider that I recently used in Italy—the service was great and I got very fast data speeds (read my  Holafly eSIM Review  to learn more). They sell both country-specific and regional data plans. Unlike other companies, Holafly’s plans give you unlimited data and their plans run from 5 to 90 days (they will throttle your data if you use excessive data).

• 5 Days: $19
• 10 Days: $34
• 15 Days: $47
• 20 Days: $54
• 30 Days: $64
• 60 Days: $84
• 90 Days: $99
• Service Speed:  5G/4G/LTE
• Calls:  None
• Texts/SMS:  None
• Tethering:  No

Orange Holiday Europe eSIM and Physical SIM (Two Great Options For Europe)

The  Orange Holiday Europe SIM Card  and the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM Card are probably the best all-around options for European data because you get a good amount of data for a reasonable price—and it includes worldwide calls and text.

NOTE: Buy the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM Card if your phone is eSIM compatible since you’ll save on shipping fees and eSIMs are more convenient than physical SIM cards.

Additionally, Orange is one of the largest mobile companies in the world and they have great coverage throughout most of Europe.

Plan Specs:

• DATA:  30GB
• CALLS:  Unlimted in Europe and 1200 minutes worldwide
• TEXT:  Unlimted in Europe and 1000 worldwide
• CAN BE USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?:  Yes

Orange Holiday Zen eSIM and Physical (Cheaper Option For Europe)

If you need less data and want to save a little money, check out the  Orange Holiday Zen SIM  and the Orange Holiday Zen eSIM —both are great all-around options for European data because you still get a solid amount of data for a reasonable price. Both plans also include worldwide calls and texts.

• Price:  $29.90
• Data:  15GB
• Service Speed:  4G/LTE
• Calls:  Unlimited within Europe and 30 min outside of Europe.
• Texts/SMS:  Unlimited within Europe and 200 outside of Europe.
• Credit validity:  14 day
• Data tethering allowed
• Usable on any device (phones, tablets, hotspots…)
• Cards come with a French phone number

AIS eSIM2FLY Global (eSIM that covers much of the world)

After the Orange Holiday World SIM, the AIS eSIM2FLY Global is another good option that doesn’t quite have as much data but it has the benefit of being an eSIM (so you don’t have to deal with shipping fees).

PRICE:  $49.90 DATA:  6GB INCLUDES TEXTS OR CALLS?:  NO CREDIT VALID FOR:  15 Days

Asia & Middle East

• Bangladesh, Bahrain 5G , Brunei, Cambodia, China (incl Tibet) 5G , Hong Kong 5G , India, Indonesia 5G , Israel 5G , Japan 5G , Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Currently Blocked), Nepal, Oman 5G , Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines 5G , Qatar 5G , Saudi Arabia, Singapore 5G , South Korea 5G , Sri Lanka, Taiwan 5G , United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Dubai, Abu Dhabi 5G , Uzbekistan, Vietnam 5G
• Chad, Congo (Democratic Republic Of), Congo Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar Republic, Malawi, Nigeria, Reunion, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda
• Åland Islands, Albania, Armenia, Austria 5G , Azerbaijan, Belgium 5G , Belarus, Bulgaria 5G , Croatia 5G , Cyprus (Northern), Czech Republic 5G , Denmark 5G , England 5G , Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland 5G , France 5G , Georgia, Germany 5G , Greece, Hungary 5G , Iceland 5G , Ireland 5G , Italy 5G , Kazakhstan, Latvia 5G , Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg 5G , Malta 5G , Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands 5G , Norway 5G , Poland 5G , Portugal 5G , Romania, Russia 5G , San Marino 5G , Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia 5G , Spain 5G , Sweden 5G , Switzerland 5G , Turkey 5G , Ukraine, United Kingdom UK 5G , Vatican City 5G

North America

• Canada 5G , Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico  , Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, USA (incl Hawaii), United States Virgin Islands

South America

• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia , Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Australia 5G , Fiji, Guam, Nauru, New Zealand, Tonga

Travel SIM World (Multi-Country Coverage)

• Price:  $39.90
• Data:  6GB
• Credit validity: Lasts up to 15 days from the first point of activation.
• Calls/Texts: Does not support any calls or SMS. You are not able to receive any calls or SMS.

Countries Covered:

Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tibet, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam

AIS SIM2FLY SIM Card (Covers Much of Asia)

• Price $19.90
• Data: 6GB at maximum 4G/3G speed in Asia (wherever available)
• Credit validity: 10 days Credit Validity
• Coverage: 24 Asian countries (see below).

Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Tibet), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam

China Unicom Asia 12 Days Data SIM (Multiple Asian Countries)

• Price: $22.90
• Credit validity: 12 days Credit Validity
• Coverage: 14 Asian countries (see below).

Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

MORE TIPS ON USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE INTERNATIONALLY

BUY A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER

Using apps like Google Maps and taking photos kills your phone battery so a portable battery is a must-have. I use  Anker PowerCore 10000  because it’s tiny and affordable but there are multiple options.

USING FREE WIFI WHILE TRAVELING ABROAD

I think people overestimate how easy it is to find free wifi in abroad. Yes, free wifi is becoming more prevalent throughout the world—however, it’s hard to rely exclusively on free wifi since it can be a pain to actually find a free network when you actually need it.

The best places to find free wifi are McDonald’s, Starbucks, cafés, coffee shops, and hostels/hotels — but getting connected is rarely super convenient, reliable, or fast.

Relying on free wifi fails when it comes to day-to-day stuff like using Google Maps, looking up restaurant reviews via Google/Trip Advisor/Yelp, using random apps, using Uber, booking e-tickets, using email, etc. because these are things you typically do spur of the moment. That’s why I prefer to have the option of having mobile data because having to seek out a coffee shop every time I want to use the internet gets tiring very quickly.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR MOBILE DATA USAGE

Data can be expensive and it’s extremely easy to unknowingly burn through a lot of data because many apps use data in the background. Facebook, email, Instagram, Snapchat… those all constantly use data throughout the day without you knowing it. That’s it’s important to know how to limit your data usage.

USE AIRPLANE MODE AND BLOCK DATA TO SPECIFIC APPS

I’ll put my phone in Airplane Mode because that disables all data (but GPS still works in Airplane Mode). You can also go into the settings and disable data access to each individual app. I’ll go in and turn every off except for things like Google Maps or others that I’ll use more frequently — this way when I turn off Airplane Mode only those apps that will use data. Then I’ll turn Airplane Mode back on when I’m done.

DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS

Google Maps lets you download entire city maps so they can be used offline. As an added bonus, GPS doesn’t use data so offline Google Maps works fairly well (but not all functionality works). Here is a good  YouTube video  that explains everything.

MAKE CALLS OVER WhatsApp

WhatsApp is an excellent app for free calling and text messages—I’ve found that most people outside the US exclusively use WhatsApp to communicate (including many Airbnb hosts).

MORE TRAVEL ADVICE FROM THE SAVVY BACKPACKER

• How Much to Budget For Backpacking Through Europe
• How Much It Costs To Travel Europe  (For Multiple Travel Styles)
• Backpacking Europe Packing List
• Travel Europe Packing List for Women
• Guide to Prepaid eSIM Data Plans in Europe .
• Recent Posts

• How To Buy Train Tickets in France | Guide To Buying French Train Tickets - July 26, 2024
• France Train Guide — How To Travel France By Train - July 25, 2024
• Best Prepaid USA eSIM Data Plans For Travelers | eSIM Buyer’s Guide - July 3, 2024

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Thanks For Reading! — James

Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us .

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Best Travel SIM Cards for International Mobile Data in 2024

Thinking about how to plan your tri p ? You need to think about more than what to pack for your travels . A seamless and safe journey relies on connectivity – this starts with your mobile data! Bid farewell to hefty roaming costs and embrace the convenience of international SIM cards. In this updated guide for 2024, we delve into the nuances of local prepaid SIM cards, global travel SIM cards , and the evolving realm of eSIM cards. Let’s explore the best travel SIM card options, pros and cons, and tips to keep you connected while saving on roaming costs.

This article contains affiliate links from the Amazon Associate and Travelpayouts programs. Wild Travel Tales will earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you .

Our Top 5 Recommendations

• Airalo (#1 recommendation)

Local Prepaid SIM Cards vs. International Travel SIM Cards

Local prepaid SIM cards from destination stores are perfect for single-country travel, offering cost-effective solutions available on arrival, often bundled with generous data for tourists. However, for the avid explorer hopping across multiple countries, international SIM cards and e-SIM cards purchased online provide unmatched flexibility and continuous connectivity. This eliminates the hassle of needing to find a new SIM card every time you enter a new country.

Pros of Local Prepaid SIM Cards

• Cost-effective for single-country use
• Available for purchase on arrival
• Often come with large data bundles for tourists

Pros of International Travel SIM Cards

• Usable in multiple countries
• Ensures continuous connectivity across borders
• Ideal for frequent travellers exploring diverse destinations

Understanding E-SIM Cards

eSIM cards, the future of mobile connectivity, eliminate the need for physical cards. While local prepaid SIM cards are readily available in stores, eSIM cards are primarily obtained online, offering ease of use and flexibility. This means you will be connected as soon as you arrive in the country, eliminating the hassle of needing to find a SIM care in a local store. If you want a seamless, convenient and safe trip, this is the best option for you.

Where to Buy an International SIM Card

Acquiring an international SIM card can only be done online. This is often facilitated through third-party platforms. This guide will direct you to the best websites to buy a global SIM card tailored for world travelers. Direct links to the operators’ websites will be provided, allowing you to explore further details if you find a particular option intriguing.

International SIM cards designed for global travel come in two formats: physical prepaid SIM cards and e-SIM cards. Physical prepaid SIM cards are dispatched to your home address, while e-SIM cards are transmitted to you as a QR code via email.

Where to Buy a Local SIM Card

If you’re in search of local prepaid SIM cards for tourists, they can only be obtained in-person, typically from stores or kiosks within the destination itself. Most countries have dedicated shops offering local prepaid SIM cards at international airports upon your arrival. 

It’s worth noting that purchasing a local prepaid SIM card at an international airport is often pricier. Optimal deals can be secured from official retail stores in city centers, shopping malls, or even random mobile phone shops.

In certain countries, convenience stores, gas stations, or supermarkets also offer local prepaid SIM cards. However, be aware that activating the SIM card from these establishments is typically a self-service process, requiring manual activation rather than a plug-and-play experience.

5 Best Travel SIM Cards for International Mobile Connection

Airalo (recommended #1: best travel sim).

Key Features:

• Data Options: Tailored plans from 1GB to 20GB.
• Validity: Flexible plans ranging from 7 days to 180 days.
• Coverage: Extensive network spanning 84 countries.
• Ease of Use: User-friendly app for buying and activating eSIMs.
• User Trust: Trusted by over 1 million users worldwide.

Best Suited for:

• Frequent travelers exploring diverse regions.
• Those seeking a seamless, app-driven experience.
• Individuals desiring a variety of data options and flexible validity.

Why Airalo?

Airalo stands out as a top choice for global connectivity, offering a range of data options to suit different traveler needs. With a user-friendly app, seamless activation process, and coverage in 84 countries, Airalo ensures that staying connected internationally is convenient and reliable. Whether you’re on a short business trip or an extended backpacking adventure, Airalo provides the flexibility and trust you need for uninterrupted communication on the go. Click here to check out Airalo SIM cards best suited for you.

Types of SIM Cards

Airalo offers a range of SIM card options, with different coverage:

• Local eSIMs: Choose an eSIM specifically suited for the country you are visiting. This is typically more affordable than multi-country options.
• Regional eSIMs: Choose an eSIM which will keep you connected across entire continents (e.g., one eSIM for all of Europe). This is the best option if you will be travelling through multiple countries.
• Global eSIMs – the “DISCOVER CARD”: One eSIM for global connection. This card will keep you online in every single country. This will be suitable for travellers hopping across the globe, through multiple countries and continents.

• Data Options: Tailored plans to suit various data needs.
• Validity: Ensuring connectivity for the duration you need.
• Coverage: Extensive network spanning global destinations.
• No physical swapping: Fully virtual SIM cards eliminates the hassle of physical SIMs. You will not need to constantly swap or manage multiple cards.
• 24/7 customer support: You will have assistance around the clock to ensure connectivity.

Why Drimsim?

Drimsim emerges as a go-to choice for global travellers seeking seamless connectivity. With customisable data plans, reliable coverage worldwide, and a commitment to providing connectivity for the duration you require, Drimsim ensures you stay connected effortlessly. You select the country you are visiting, then pay only for the data you use. Whether you’re a business traveler or an adventurer exploring diverse regions, Drimsim offers the flexibility and reliability needed for a smooth communication experience on the go. Click here to check out Drimsim SIM cards best suited for you.

• Virtual SIM Technology: HolaFly introduces virtual SIMs, eliminating the need for physical cards and simplifying the connectivity process.
• Diverse Packages: Offering a range of packages, HolaFly ensures users can choose plans that align with their specific data and travel requirements.
• Downloadable Convenience: With the ability to download the virtual SIM before departure, HolaFly streamlines the onboarding process, making it a convenient solution for modern travelers.
• Global Compatibility: As e-SIM compatibility becomes more widespread, HolaFly positions itself as a leading provider with innovative and competitive packages for the future.
• User-Friendly Experience: HolaFly prioritizes a user-friendly experience, making it easy for travelers to navigate and manage their virtual SIM connectivity.
• Modern travelers with e-SIM compatible devices.
• Those seeking a streamlined and convenient connectivity solution.
• Individuals desiring diverse data packages for global travel.

Why HolaFly?

HolaFly stands at the forefront of global connectivity with its virtual SIM technology, diverse packages, and commitment to user-friendly experiences. Whether you’re a tech-savvy explorer or a business professional on the move, HolaFly provides the innovative and convenient connectivity solution needed for a seamless global travel experience. Click here to check out Holafly SIM cards best suited for you.

• Versatility: OneSimCard offers both e-SIM and traditional SIM options, providing users with flexibility in choosing their preferred connectivity method.
• Wide and Reliable Coverage: Boasting extensive coverage in over 200 countries, OneSimCard ensures a reliable connection wherever your travels take you.
• Low SIM-Purchasing Fees: With affordable SIM-purchasing fees, OneSimCard makes global connectivity accessible without breaking the bank.
• Global Compatibility: Suited for both e-SIM and traditional SIM devices, OneSimCard caters to a broad range of users with varying device preferences.
• Globetrotters seeking a universal SIM solution for diverse destinations.
• Those desiring both e-SIM and traditional SIM options for device compatibility.
• Travelers looking for cost-effective global connectivity.

Why OneSimCard?

OneSimCard serves as a universal passport to global connectivity, offering versatility, wide coverage, and affordability. Whether you’re exploring multiple countries or simply need a reliable solution for a specific region, OneSimCard provides the connectivity you need without the hassle of changing cards at every turn. Click here to check out OneSimCard options best suited for you.

TravelSim Worldwide Card

• Cost-Effective Solution: TravelSim provides a budget-friendly international SIM card, making it an economical choice for global travelers.
• Straightforward Pricing Structure: With a transparent pricing structure, TravelSim eliminates surprises, ensuring users understand their costs upfront.
• Broad Coverage: Usable in over 170 countries, TravelSim offers extensive coverage, making it a reliable choice for diverse travel itineraries.
• In-Store Availability: Convenience is key, and TravelSim can be purchased not only online but also in physical stores, providing flexibility in procurement.
• Cost-conscious travelers seeking an affordable international SIM card.
• Individuals desiring transparent and straightforward pricing.
• Those requiring broad coverage for travel across various countries.

Why TravelSim Worldwide Card?

TravelSim Worldwide Card stands out as a cost-effective and transparent solution for global communication. Whether you’re a budget-conscious traveler or someone looking for hassle-free connectivity across diverse destinations, TravelSim offers a reliable gateway to seamless global communication. Click here to check out TravelSim cards best suited for you.

Navigating the vast landscape of international SIM cards is a crucial step in ensuring seamless connectivity during your global adventures. Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a digital nomad, or a casual traveler, choosing the right SIM card can make a significant difference in your journey. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the merits of local prepaid SIM cards, the convenience of global travel SIM cards, and the promising future of e-SIM technology.

The best SIM for tourists depends on individual preferences and travel patterns. Options like Airalo, Drimsim, and OneSimCard offer global coverage, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for different travel needs.

Travel SIMs are often worth it for frequent travellers or those exploring multiple countries. They provide cost-effective connectivity, eliminate high roaming costs, and offer tailored data options.

While no SIM card works in every country, options like OneSimCard and Drimsim offer broad international coverage, making them suitable for diverse travel itineraries.

Using a local prepaid SIM card in each country is often the cheapest way to use your phone overseas. Alternatively, global SIMs with competitive rates, like TravelSim, can also be cost-effective.

Yes, tourists can buy SIM cards in most countries. They are available at international airports, local stores, and convenience shops. Online options like Airalo and SimOptions also cater to tourists.

Both eSIM and physical SIM have their advantages. eSIMs offer flexibility and convenience, while physical SIMs may be preferred for users with older devices or those who prefer a tangible card.

Yes, eSIMs work on international roaming, offering the convenience of activating multiple profiles for different countries without the need for physical swapping.

eSIMs work by digitally storing SIM card information on a device. Users can download eSIM profiles, allowing them to switch between different mobile carriers without the need for a physical SIM card.

Taking out your home SIM card and using a local or international SIM can save on roaming costs. For those with dual SIM phones, keeping the home SIM for calls and using a travel SIM for data is a common approach.

Tourist SIMs are often designed for short-term use, offering specific benefits like large data allowances. Local SIMs may require more extensive documentation but may provide better long-term value with local rates.

Freya is a travel writer from the UK. She loves discovering unique destinations, exploring old towns and hiking through beautiful natural landscapes.

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The 11 Best International SIM Cards for 2024

07/12/2024 by Kristin Addis Leave a Comment

Embarking on a new adventure requires a lifeline to the digital world, whether you’re backpacking through Europe or island-hopping in Indonesia. The quest for the most reliable and affordable international SIM cards is vital, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

These are my top tips and best international SIM card recommendations, based on my experiences using them around the world.

Table of Contents

What Are International SIM Cards?

An international SIM card is a traveler’s tool for communication, planning, and navigation, offering the ability to send texts and use data at local rates without the shock of roaming charges. These cards work across multiple countries and can be a more economical choice compared to local SIMs or the roaming options provided by your home carrier. They’re preloaded with credit, ready to use in an unlocked phone, providing a hassle-free bridge to staying in touch while exploring the world.

How Do International SIM Cards Work?

You have two options when getting a SIM abroad – a local physical card or an eSIM. If you have an iPhone 14 or newer, you likely can only use eSIMs. While I resisted this at first, I love the convenience now of landing in a new destination and having signal for navigation, emailing a hotel or vacation rental host, being able to order an Uber, right from touch down.

To use an international SIM card, your phone must be unlocked, meaning it’s not restricted to a single carrier’s network​. This is crucial, so make sure you get your phone unlocked before you leave for your trip.

These eSIM cards can also be conveniently topped up online, through an app, or with vouchers, negating the need to purchase a new one each time it runs out​. Security-wise, they are on par with local SIMs, equipped with necessary safety features like a security PIN and location area identity​.

The Dos and Don’ts of Purchasing an International SIM Card

When purchasing SIM cards for international travel, there are several best practices to keep in mind:

• Research before you go!  Look up the most recommended SIM card options for your destination. Online forums, travel blogs, and reviews can be valuable resources.
• Consider convenience and cost.  Make sure you evaluate the balance between the ease of obtaining the SIM card and its cost. Sometimes, paying a little extra up front can save time and hassle.
• Check if the SIM card is compatible with your phone and that your phone is unlocked.
• Don’t buy at the airport.  Airport kiosks can be convenient, but they often mean a premium price. It’s generally cheaper to purchase a SIM card in town or online.
• Ignore data packages.  Be mindful of the data packages available with the SIM card. Opt for a plan that suits your data usage to avoid extra charges.
• Don’t forget the top-up options.  Make sure there are easy ways to top up your card. Being able to add credit online or through an app is a plus, especially if you’re traveling for an extended period.

The Best International SIM Cards for Travelers

Ready to get connected worldwide? These are the tried and true SIM cards for travelers:

1. Instabridge

I recently tried  Instabridge  (sponsored) while traveling in the Azores and I was impressed! It was extremely easy to use, and I got it set up on my iPhone in under 5 minutes. The interface is straightforward and tells you how much data you have at any moment. The top-up was simple as well. My favorite thing about Instabridge is that you can use your physical SIM and your eSIM simultaneously.

Instabridge offers BMTM readers 10% off all of their data plans. Use “BMTM10” at checkout  on their website  to get the discount.

• Coverage : Over 190 countries, and geared toward a smarter, more cost-effective experience.
• Data packages : Data packages start at 1 GB for $2.50 and go up to 20 GB for $18. Not bad!
• Additional benefits : One time, monthly, and yearly packages are available, making it super flexible whether you’re hopping around from country to country or sticking around one place for a while.

We tested out Yesim (sponsored) on our recent trip to Norway and there are two things I like about this company – you can get an unlimited plan, and they have a global package (as well as regional ones). Some of the countries they cover also contract with multiple local carriers, meaning you’ll have the best possible coverage at any given time.

Yesim offers BMTM readers a 3 Euro account credit with code “Muse3”.

• Coverage : Over 190 countries, and geared toward a more data heavy and multi-country experience.
• Data packages : Data packages start at 1 GB for $1.59 for their US plans and go up to $8.80/GB for their global plans.
• Additional benefits : Discounts with automatic refill subscriptions, and the ability to go limitless with data.

3. SIM Local

At destinations where the WiFI connection is spotty at best, a reliable eSIM truly comes in handy. I used SIM Local in Botswana (sponsored), and from the moment I landed in Maun, my phone seamlessly connected to the local network. I had reliable connection throughout my journey in the country, and was even able to make phone calls via WhatsApp in Maun. You can read my detailed review here !

The company claims to have one of the fastest data speed in the eSIM market, even in remote areas. If you want to maintain connected while exploring places off the beaten path, SIM Local may be your best option. What I like about SIM Local is their diverse range of offerings and price points. 

Use code “TRAVELMUSE” for 10% off!

• Coverage : 140 countries, with local, regional and global plans to choose from.
• Data packages : Local eSIMs are available at as low as $4/week.
• Additional benefits : A quick and easy questionnaire on the site to help you calculate the amount of data you need based on your usage.

4. Airalo / Discover+ Global eSIM

The  Airalo Discover Global eSIM , now known as Discover+, is a favorite for their lower cost options. I have used Airalo in Thailand and I love their regional cards, which is perfect for anyone on a trip spanning multiple countries. I grabbed their Southeast Asia regional card for our most recent trip to Singapore and Bali and will be using their European card for our upcoming European summer travels .

Airalo is also one of very few eSIMs that can offer a phone number as well for their global plan, which can be super helpful, however it’ll cost you $15 per 1GB. Still, it’s a feature most eSIMs lack.

• Coverage : 130 countries, allowing travelers to maintain mobile access in a wide array of locations
• eSIM compatibility : It offers the advantage of 5G NR access in various countries
• Data Packages : Alongside data, the Discover+ version includes a phone number with up to 200 minutes and 200 texts, enhancing its utility for travelers who need comprehensive communication options.
• Considerations : The price remains competitive, with the most extensive 20GB eSIM, valid for a full year, costing $89 USD. For those not needing calling or texting capabilities, the Discover version costs up to $20 USD less​.

A lot of people use GigSky , because its are among the easiest eSIMs to use and is the only one we know of that provides a cruise eSIM option . Anyone who has gone on a cruise knows that the data onboard can be eyewateringly expensive, and Gigsky offers a cruise package that is much more affordable, meant for both land and sea.

• Coverage : Global connectivity, with availability in 116 countries across North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East/Africa, and Asia and the Pacific.
• Data packages : GigSky offers flexible plans, from short-term 1GB for 15 days starting at $12 to monthly data plans like 5GB worldwide for $60.
• Considerations : They don’t offer regional cards like some others on this list, but could be a great option for cruises in particular.

6. Orange Holiday Europe

Orange Holiday Europe  is a prepaid data plan tailored for tourists traveling across Europe , offering 20GB of high-speed data across 30 European countries. They also offer plans that allow calling and texting.

They offer physical SIM cards that can be delivered to your home address and used across Europe, and eSIMs. The only thing to note is the physical SIM comes with 30GB of data and costs $49, which is more than most people realistically need.

• Coverage : Available in 30 European countries, leveraging Orange’s wide-reaching network.
• eSIM compatibility : Offered as both a physical SIM card and an eSIM; the latter provides the same service instantly via email without the need for shipping.
• Data packages : For approximately $50, you receive 20GB of data, sometimes with special offers extending up to 30GB. The data is valid for 14 days, with the option to renew for an additional 14 days for around $30.
• Considerations : This is on the pricier and most data heavy end of this list.

Touted as the overall best international SIM card,  OneSim  provides SIM choices with one of the largest areas, with coverage in over 200 countries. They also offer the flexibility to buy data bundles and discounted plans for calls.

• Coverage : Over 200 countries globally, with a focus on versatility and reliability.
• Data packages : You can buy data bundles and discounted plans for calls, with casual data rates starting at $0.20/MB. Data packages are available by zone or region.
• Additional benefits : Customers receive two numbers: one European and one from the USA, UK, Australia, or Canada, with free incoming calls on the European number in many countries​.

While not the cheapest,  Holafly  is all about unlimited data eSIMs that can be used in a single country or in regions. To purchase, you select the number of days you’ll be in the country and they return a price based on unlimited data for those days, with prices varying by destination.

Some destinations make more sense than others, particularly if you know you’ll be mostly relying on your phone for data. 15 days unlimited in Mexico, for example, will set you back $47, but in the US where WiFi is widely available, I’m not sure that $60 for 10 days is worth it.

• Coverage : eSIM packages for over 100 countries, with an easy-to-use app for managing services.
• eSIMs : Suitable for modern smartphones with eSIM capabilities.
• Data packages : There are data-sharing capabilities for some destinations, which are convenient for couples or groups traveling together.
• Considerations : Unlimited packages only.

9. KnowRoaming

KnowRoaming  positions itself as a versatile travel SIM provider with a presence in over 200 countries and a range of plans to keep you connected on the go. Since these SIM cards work by locating and connecting to local networks in your destination, the quality of your coverage depends on how densely populated your area is. For that reason, I don’t recommend this one for off-the-beaten-path travel, especially if you’ll be out in nature.

• Coverage : Global service spanning more than 200 countries and destinations
• eSIM Ccompatibility : KnowRoaming offers traditional physical SIM cards, an innovative SIM sticker, and scannable eSIM codes for devices that support eSIM technology, like newer iPhone models and Google Pixel 3.
• Data packages : There are unlimited data plans with durations of 3 or 7 days, priced at $9.99 and $22.99, respectively. There are also specific eSIM data plans for regions like Europe and Asia, ranging from 1GB to 5GB, valid for 30 days.
• Considerations : KnowRoaming’s plans are primarily for data, with talk and text being available on a pay-as-you-go basis, requiring users to add credit to their accounts. These add-ons can be pricey, so this one is better if you’re a data-only person.

Keepgo  offers a streamlined, data-only service for travelers in the eSIM era, presenting a straightforward approach to staying connected. Though you can use Keepgo almost anywhere, it works particularly well in the USA and Europe.

• Coverage : Keepgo’s eSIM operates in over 120 countries, allowing for broad international use.
• eSIM compatibility : The service caters to the modern need for data connectivity without physical SIM cards, offering lifetime validity for purchased data bundles.
• Data packages : Options are available in set bundles of 1GB, 3GB, or 10GB, with the flexibility to top up via the Keepgo app.
• Considerations : Since Keepgo is data-only and doesn’t provide a phone number, users must rely on internet-based communication apps (WhatsApp, etc.). While the rates are a flat $10 per GB, this might be costlier than some regional eSIM offerings.

Nomad’s eSIM  has a global reach and a digital-first approach, which means there’s no need to fuss over physical SIM cards. There are plenty of reviews online, even though it is one of the newest international eSIMs on the market. I tested it out in Portugal and South Africa, and was very pleased with the reliable connection.

• Coverage : Service in over 130 countries worldwide, with the ability to purchase regional plans or a global plan for frequent travelers
• eSIM compatibility : Compatible with eSIM-supported phones; installation is straightforward via QR code, and activation is on-demand, allowing users to pause and resume their plans as needed.
• Data packages : Nomad provides a range of data plans at competitive prices, starting as low as $2/GB, with no hidden fees. Plans range from 1GB to unlimited and from one day up to a year, giving you the flexibility to choose what best suits your travel needs.
• Considerations : While Nomad boasts high-speed and stable connections by utilizing the best local networks and allowing data sharing via hot spot, it offers data services only, not voice or text. You can only use eSIM-capable phones, and customer support is only available via email or the app, which may not offer immediate assistance.

Use the code “ASHL35BU” for 25% off!

Staying connected across borders has never been more accessible, which I love to see! Gone are the days of hunting down a SIM and being disconnected until I could find one, which I spent a decade doing prior to the advent of eSIMs. I have to say, this is so much easier and more convenient.

Now that there are so many options out there, the hardest part about staying connected on the road is no longer finding the next source of free Wi-Fi — it’s finding the best international SIM card for your specific needs! I’m honestly not mad about that, either.

Which one will you choose?

*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We have also been compensated by the noted companies to test and feature their cards.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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The best eSIMs for travellers to beat hefty roaming charges

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

On the list of additional costs that can trip up travellers, the dreaded roaming data charge is up there as one of the most irritating. Of course, there are usually phone plan kiosks at the airport or the odd SIM card vending machine. However, by the point you’ve reached the arrivals lounge , you’re a captive audience and thus beholden to whatever rate is offered. You also might need some data before leaving the airport: I’m still scarred by the charge I incurred in the connecting terminal in Singapore when the Wi-Fi wasn’t working and I needed to let my partner know I’d arrived.

But there is a way to beat the charges before you’ve even left the country – and that’s by using an eSIM. Oftentimes, purchasing a dedicated travel SIM works out cheaper overall than using the additional data bundles offered with your regular UK phone plan, especially for frequent fliers and those headed further afield than Europe. And by using a digital SIM rather than a traditional physical one, there’s no need to wait for it to arrive or worry about losing your regular SIM card while it’s not in use.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to switch between mobile networks directly through your phone’s settings. It means you can stay constantly connected abroad without the risk of being hit with any nasty roaming charges or being beholden to your networks’ often-pricey data plans.

Is my phone eSim compatible?

Most post-2018 smartphones are eSIM compatible, but you will need to make sure you’re not locked to a single network. If this is the case, provided you’ve reached the end of your original contract, you can ask your provider to unlock it for free by requesting a Network Unlock Code (NUC).

Do I need a different eSIM for each country I visit?

No. All eSIMs are suitable for use worldwide, so you’ll only need one eSIM for all of your travel needs. Further, plenty of the plans below are suitable for use in several countries: for example, if you buy an EasySim plan for a trip to France, the data will also be valid for use in a further 36 countries, making it better value for those going on to do more onward travel.

Below, we’ve outlined the best eSIM services to know in time for your next trip, along with the price for a week’s worth of data for a long haul flight to Indonesia as a price comparison guide.

Best eSIM overall

Pros: Yearly and monthly subscriptions, unlimited data and voice options available Cons: None that we can see Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: $6 (£4.75) Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: $2.99 (£2.37)

This is our best eSIM option – Airhub is a great service for frequent travellers and digital nomads especially. The app is intuitive and easy to use, and there are plenty of different plans available for trips of all lengths. One perk this service offers over the others we like is the yearly and monthly subscriptions, which make financially savvy options for those on longer trips – for example if you’re stationed somewhere for work or taking advantage of that post-Covid ‘work from anywhere’ lifestyle. There are also plans that include voice minutes and SMS services, which is an additional boast that the other services here can’t match.

Pros: Diverse range of data plans, many plans work across multiple countries, no need for an app Cons: No family feature for managing multiple eSims per account Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: £8.50 Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: £8.50

EasySim is part of the EasyJet family of brands, so they know a thing or two about roaming. True to form, it’s one of the most comprehensive services on offer, with a good range of plans at some of the best prices we’ve seen. Some may not like the lack of an app, but the website is easy to use and does the job perfectly well. As a bonus, this service covers a wide range of phones. Not all the options on this list are compatible with my Motorola – an admittedly niche handset – but the compatibility here adds an additional sweetener to this service for me.

Pros: Worldwide and regional plans available, diverse range of plans Cons: No family feature for managing multiple eSims per account Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: $11 (£8.71) Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: $11 (£8.71)

All the prices on Airalo come up in US dollars, but don’t be fooled – these plans are accessible to anyone in the world. Airalo has some of the most diverse offerings out there – with regional and even worldwide SIMs available, so even the most voracious country-hoppers should be covered. For those planning treks across Asia or the like, you might want to take note.

Best eSIM for short trips

Pros: Low starting prices Cons: Fewer cross-country compatible plans than EasySim, calls, SMS and MMS services aren’t currently provided Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: No 3GB plan available; 1.5GB for £3.99 or 15GB for £20 Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: No 3GB plan available; 1GB for £3.99 or 15GB for £20

As someone who travels regularly for work, and often only for a few days at a time, I’ve sometimes found myself paying over the odds for week-long data plans when I’m only away a few days. Case in point on a recent trip to the Maldives, where I was beholden to the airport’s singular 10gb data SIM offering despite only being in the country for three days. So, if you’re one for regular short hops, GoMo World’s smaller plans are ones to consider for maximum cost-saving benefits.

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Home » Gear » Travel Sim's » How to Find the Best Sim For Travel in 2024

How to Find the Best Sim For Travel in 2024

The other day, I was at a semi-local music festival, and you couldn’t even buy a water bottle without downloading an app. Things are getting downright ridiculous, but until we can pull ourselves together and organize a good ole fashioned revolution, we’ll have to embrace this new truth: you can’t do shit without a cell phone.

Until relatively recently, it was a pretty sweet deal to head abroad and be hooked up to Wi-Fi only. Every time you left the hostel, it was just you and your downloaded maps exploring a new city without interruption. Nowadays, you’ll need to scan a QR code to see the menu, hop on local transport, or accept defeat and order a ride once you’ve gotten good and lost.

All that, plus the massive increase in freedom allowed by remote work, means a travel SIM card is starting to pop up on more and more packing lists. Being a digital nomad may mean stretching your trip a month or two, but it also requires high-speed internet at every stop. The good news is that international travelers have more options than ever.

We all don’t have to rely on Google voice, keep track of a few different SIM cards and pray that the next village will have a Recargas stand or face draconian data surcharges from our home cell phone provider anymore. An entire world of international SIM and e-SIM specialists will keep you connected through border crossings and around the globe.

You won’t find many international service providers with data plans as cheap as local options, nor will you come across affordable unlimited plans that you may have gotten used to at home. Still, every year the entry price for these products comes down a few dollars, and I’m officially paying attention.

The convenience of having a constant phone number is worth a few extra dollars, especially when your bank needs to send a confirmation code through text to a recognized number. So, to help you weigh the pros and cons of the best SIMs for travel vs any local provider, we’re going to break down the industry and see what kinds of coverage you can really count on.

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Quick Answers – These Are The Best SIMs For Travel

Best sim for backpackers –  onesim worldwide, best esim for travel –  gigsky, best sim for europe –  holafly europe, best sim for digital nomads –  onesim esim, best sim for southeast asia –  holafly, best sim for travel –  orange holiday pre-paid, choosing the right sim for travel, have you considered esim, these are the best sims for travel, final thoughts on choosing the best sim cards for travel.

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GigSky Global

• Package Price > $15 – $90
• Package Data > 500MB – 5 GB
• Package Duration > 30 days
• Allows Local Calls? > Yes

• Package Price > $69.99
• Package Data > 5 GB
• Package Duration > 30 Days
• Allows Local Calls? > No

HolaFly Europe

• Package Price > $99
• Package Data > Unlimited
• Package Duration > 90 days

OneSim eSim

Orange Holiday Pre-Paid

• Package Price > $28-47
• Package Data > 8-20 GB
• Package Duration > 14
• Allows Local Calls? > Yes (Within Europe)

It doesn’t matter which high-tech smartphone you’ve got your hands on, they won’t be much more than mp3 playing digital cameras without the correct microchip. Before we show you the candidates, let’s understand the ranking system.

Every international travel SIM we looked at would greatly benefit a different adventure. New options are popping up each year, and they all have to compete with local SIM cards from airports and corner stores. 

SIM cards may be small, but loads of thought have gone into the industry-leading options. Here are a few factors that will help build a road map to the correct SIM for your next mission. 

So, should you go for an eSim, an internationa l or local SIM ?

Price 

It all starts and ends here. Without a budget, it’s incredibly easy to find worldwide cell phone coverage. You just might end up paying $50 a gigabyte! Unfortunately, if you go with the wrong provider, you’ll get slapped with extreme roaming charges and can quickly rack up data bills bigger than most plane tickets. 

Most national providers take advantage of travellers by charging extreme rates for every MB of international data. The international SIMs on this list bring prices down a few notches, but there is still no such thing as a free lunch and no free cell phone coverage. 

At the low end, you’ll find pay-as-you-go plans that will charge you rates as low as 5 cents an MB plus a few dollars for the actual SIM card. This may seem like a no-brainer, but remember that 1 GB is 1000 MB, which means your plan is a whooping 50$ a gigabyte, which is more than even Google FI would dare charge you. 

On the other side are unlimited plans, which will run you back anywhere from $50 to $100. Anyone who expects to run through a few podcasts and make a few video calls on the road would be better off paying extra upfront to avoid surprises down the line. 

The best international SIMs for travel are getting cheaper each year, but they still have to drop by a few dollars before they can compete with local SIMs in many countries. If you plan to stick around in one country for more than a month or two, you should absolutely still look into what sorts of local SIMs are available. 

However, there is loads of fluctuation from country to country, even when the same provider covers them. There is a Claro Ecuador and a Claro Peru, but your current Claro chip will be useless as soon as you cross that imaginary line. 

So, depending on where you go, an international SIM could be an absolute waste of money, but it could also be the only way to stay connected. Plus, no matter where you go, it’s always nice to know before heading off that you’ll still have access to everything that requires a phone number, and that knowledge alone is definitely worth a few bucks. 

It’s pretty straightforward. The more data you want, the more you’ll have to pay. High-speed data has become the only thing that matters in cell phone coverage and is the only thing that several international e-SIM providers offer. And nowadays, you can get loads of it, even in Israel !

Data may sound like something that only business-oriented travellers will need large swathes of, but remember that most modern text messaging is actually through Whatsapp, Facebook Messaging, Instagram, Signal, or some other sort of untraceable application, all of which isn’t included in any text messaging plan.

Leisure travellers on the road to get away from it all certainly won’t need the same mega-packages as someone relying on their data to build websites from the bus station. Still, it’s not a bad idea to have easy, affordable access to a few gigabytes at the ready. 

Data will come in handy for communicating with your Airbnb host, understanding the bus schedule, and lining up that next sweet volunteer gig. Everyone you meet on the road romanticises getting away from it all, but it’s damn handy to have the world at your fingertips when you’re trying to see it. 

Data also generally includes access to a mobile hotspot, which is a fucking beauty if you’re trying to get some work done when the power suddenly quits on you. It’s bound to happen if you travel long enough, and a data plan is your only backup. 

While it’s true that your SIM card search will start with price, the second thing you should confirm is your SIM’s coverage map. Each provider on our list offers a wide range of international coverage, so once you’ve narrowed down your trip and know (generally) where you plan on stopping, you can build your SIM search from there. 

It doesn’t matter how cheap your unlimited plan is if it doesn’t work in the country you’re heading towards. No cell phone company is pumping out a 5G connection to the deep desert, but it’s essential to know your chip will work wherever you are. 

As you’ll see from our list, the more modern your SIM card is, the more trouble you may have nailing down local calling. Not long ago, calls were all your cell phone was good for, but nowadays, they are an afterthought on most contracts.

E-SIMs, in particular, are dreadful for local calling plans, as that physical splash of silicone is ultra important when operating dial-up. However, if you’re shopping specifically for an international SIM card solely for making calls, you’re liable to save some serious cash. 

You can find pay-as-you-go plans that won’t set you back more than a quarter a minute no matter where you are. Also, remember that there are a few ways to get around the relative lack of calling. Most local businesses will have WhatsApp or Facebook messaging accounts that let you call or text without buying any local minutes. 

Set a budget, nail down your country list, and shop for packages based on your trip’s itinerary. The travel SIMs we’ll explore today cover a wide range of timelines, with everything from 24 hours to 90 days of coverage in one purchase. 

Most of the SIM cards on our list specialise in short-term travel, which means around one month or less in one country. Several e-SIM providers have discounted packages up to the 90 days range, and they can all be infinitely re-upped, but the longer you stay in one place, the more they lose value. 

These SIMs are built around country hopping. They make tremendous sense for people planning on crossing borders every few weeks, but if you’re spending much more than a month or two in one country, you should look into your specific country’s local SIM plans.

So, as you can see, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to the best travel eSIM for your trip.

Hailed by many as the  future of travel communications , our list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a few major Electronic SIM cards. E-SIMs are SIM cards without the physical plastic, presenting both a sustainable and super convenient way to get connected. 

Through a cell phone app, you can select your plan, download more minutes, and get your SIM ready to go before you even get to a new country. Most modern cell phones already have an embedded SIM card inside the hardware, and downloading an e-SIM can activate this SIM card without a trip to the shop. 

That means using your cell phone with multiple SIM cards, and keeping your usual SIM card on hand for emergency access to 2-factor authentication schemes, while avoiding your carrier’s exorbitant roaming charges. 

It can sound a bit far-fetched at first. If a SIM card is already built-in, why do we use physical SIMs in the first place? While e-SIMs are incredibly convenient, the technology isn’t quite perfect yet. Most e-SIMs won’t offer local calling features and are generally a bit more expensive to get going than old-fashioned SIM cards. 

But the honest answer is that this technology is so new not all phones are e-SIM ready. Also, for no real reason other than blatant capitalism, many phones purchased under a contract from a particular network can be ‘locked’, which blocks your embedded SIM from communicating with any other service provider. 

So make sure you understand what your cell phone is capable of before you take the leap. If your phone is unlocked and meets all requirements, I highly recommend taking a serious look at e-SIM options, especially if your travel dates are coming up fast. The ability to activate, recharge, and monitor your cell phone data plans from anywhere is worth a few extra bucks. 

If your travel plans go anywhere like mine, by the time you’ve come around to figuring out your SIM card, you’re about halfway to the airport, so let’s look at the best SIMs for travel before it’s too late to take advantage of these lifesavers. 

Our SIM options range from old-fashioned SIM cards with physical recharge requirements to the latest and greatest in e-SIM technology that pumps out unlimited data anywhere. They all specialise in different regions and will better suit various adventures. 

While we went to great lengths to give our package snapshots full coverage, it’s important to remember that the specifics of your data package will vary wildly depending on your location. Whether you want a sim card for Japan or travelling around Europe for the summer, there will be some major differences.

These SIM cards are all international, but they still have to play by the rules. So don’t forget to check the data prices for every single country on your itinerary to prepare yourself for the bills to come. 

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• Package Price: $15 – $90
• Package Data: 500MB – 5 GB
• Package Duration: 30 days
• Allows Local Calls? Yes

We love this SIM card provider because of its flexibility. You can browse through all sorts of data bundles and plans that change depending on which country you’re heading towards next. OneSim grouped all their plans into different zones, so sort through the choices until you find a bundle that includes every stop on your next trip. 

The worldwide SIM costs $9.95 and comes with $10 of data credit. After that’s down the drain, you can take your pick of packages and get on your way. Every OneSim comes with two numbers, one from Estonia and one from your choice of the US, UK, Australia or Canada . Incoming calls on the European number are often free or as low as $.25 per minute. 

While the OneSim isn’t the cheapest SIM card on the market, the worldwide service is incredibly reliable, and the sheer number of different options guarantees you’ll find a tailor-made plan for your itinerary. 

Best eSim for Travel –  GigSky

• Package Price: $69.95
• Package Data: 5 GB
• Package Duration: 30 Days
• Allows Local Calls? No

Thanks to services like GigSky , you can get your phone hooked up to the World Wide Web today; no address or plastic is necessary. Anyone rocking a modern smartphone has everything they need to get connected already. Simply download the GigSky app and cycle through packages to hook up data to your phone today. 

GigSky knows how convenient their international 4G SIM-free system is and has bumped up the rates compared to some plastic SIM providers. Sometimes though, being able to take care of the entire process from the couch is priceless. 

The price we listed is for their worldwide package, but they also offer country and region-specific plans that can save a few bucks. Besides the price, there’s one significant factor working against GigSky SIMs; These plans don’t come with a local cell phone number, so the service is solely digital. 

Don’t let that scare you off. There are plenty of ways to make international calls without a cell phone, and all your local delivery guys will use WhatsApp. 

Most of the other SIM options on our list require a bit of foresight and waiting for a package. Whether you’ve just landed and your current provider has sent you a friendly text alerting you that you’ll be paying 10$ an MB, or you just can’t be bothered to find a thin pokey thingamajig, this potent package is the fastest way to get online. 

My favourite thing about Gigsky, they offer a cutting-edge ‘ Cellular at Sea ’ package which may just be the world’s first anywhere-at-sea eSIM . The package will work anywhere in the maritime world and pretty much anywhere on the ship too.

• Package Price: $99
• Package Data: Unlimited
• Package Duration: 90 days

Born in Valencia, this SIM service is custom crafted to provide borderless connection within the European Economic Areas. HolaFly offers both traditional SIM cards and e-SIM services, so you can connect in whichever way works with your setup. 

No matter how you get online, you’ll be online in minutes with access to 24/7 customer service. These guys have long focused on providing full European coverage, but they have recently expanded to work worldwide.

The e-SIM version of HolaFly will not include voice calls, so travellers needing an old-fashioned phone number need to plan ahead. Once it’s all said and done, you’ll have unlimited data, which few companies are willing to offer. Another huge perk of HolaFly’s setup is its commitment to providing access to your usual WhatsApp account. It all adds up to the best European SIM card provider.

These guys are slowly spreading their wings worldwide, offering e-SIMs all over the place, including a sim option in China !  

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• Package Duration:  30 days

We’ve already looked closely at OneSim’s physical SIM card package as our favourite SIM card for backpackers, but the company has also proven ready for the new era of work. This could be the One SIM to rule them all, although instead of binding us into a world of darkness, it is shining a big, fat green light towards our dreams of working from the beach. 

OneSim’s e-SIM is one of the market’s few electronic SIM cards that can still receive phone calls. The system provides an EU number that receives free incoming calls from over 120 countries (outgoing calls will set you back 25 cents a minute.)

Most of the plans available for their physical SIM service are also applicable on this e-SIM, so you can narrow down your zone, calculate your data needs, and find the perfect setup for your work. Plus, if you take a call or two from the boss weekly, you can write it all off as a business expense. 

Their system’s ability to sort between week and month-long packages or simply paying by the mill bite makes the company one of the best choices for those who want a pay-as-you-go SIM to take a few calls and check the email every now and then. You can find a package for as low as 5 cents an MB, all with free incoming calls. 

• Package Price: $57

HolaFly now offers Asia-Pacific Packages for 9, 14, or 17 countries that will help you navigate the Asian and Oceania continents like the locals. Whether you need a sim for Tha i land , Vietnam or Taiwan, Holafly has you covered. This region features a few countries with many rules concerning the Digital Airspace and a relative lack of international cooperation, especially compared to the European Union. 

Luckily a few intrepid entrepreneurs figured out there is some really good money in making things easier to manage, and this prepaid beauty was born. Boasting truly unlimited 4G data at a cost not much higher than most plans at home, you can take one piece of the stress out of the occasion and slip in this SIM for unlimited connection from over 50 regions. 

The SIM card is Asia-Pacific focused but can also get you around several European countries and the United States . If you don’t need all that much data, HolaFly also offers pay-as-you-go plans to get you going with 200 MB of data for less than a dollar. 

Their top-up system will allow you to refill the coffers from anywhere with a network connection, and they provide data plans that match all sorts of price points. You can even purchase unlimited data for 24 hours for less than 5$ if you’re about to spend a day on the bus without much else going on. 

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

• Package Price: $28-47
• Package Data: 8-20 GB
• Package Duration:  14
• Allows Local Calls? Yes (Within Europe)

This short-trip specialist used to be one of the best deals in the business. New competition like HolaFly’s unlimited packages and OneSim’s e-SIM local calling features have knocked the Orange Holiday down a few pegs. However, they’re still one of the most reliable names in international SIM cards. 

Let’s get this out of the way early: Orange’s prepaid SIMs only cover European markets, so while it’s still an international SIM, it doesn’t come close to the coverage of some of our other options. 

The good news is, they’ve more than proven themselves on the continent. If you need a sim in France , the good news, they are the country’s largest mobile network provider in terms of subscriber base, so there is no safer bet in the business when travelling to the European continent.

All of Orange’s travel cards ship prepaid, meaning there is no dealing with apps, although they can be topped up online. You can choose the ‘Zen’ option with 8 GB of data, 30 minutes of worldwide calling, and 200 texts over two weeks. Data-heavy trips should opt for the ‘Europe’ model that provides 20 GB of data, 120 minutes, and 1000 texts for an extra 20 bucks. 

This SIM option simply doesn’t have the freedom or flexibility to truly compete with the other cards on our list. Still, anyone looking for a quick and easy option for a Eurotrip can order this SIM card online and receive international coverage in the mail without any further installations. 

Want more? We’ve also recently written this Jetpac eSim card review .

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Our list comprises the best and cheapest ways to stay connected globally. Travelling is all about living in the moment and disconnecting from the stresses of day-to-day life, but the modern world is all but inaccessible offline. These SIM cards are here to help; you can always throw your phone on Airplane mode when it’s time to unplug. 

Between e-SIMs and physical cards with local calling capabilities, you’re bound to find a travel partner as tech-savvy as your personal needs. No SIM card dominates the global industry. Each choice on our list has serious pros and cons that mainly involve different price points, different coverage maps, and a lack of local calling. 

And finally, remember that none of these SIM cards will give your phone superpowers. No ordinary SIM card or cell phone combination will keep you connected if you’re heading off a few hundred kilometres from the nearest plug-in. Look into  Satellite phones  if you plan on travelling off the beaten path. 

Besides that, find the right SIM for your itinerary and get out there! Give us a shout in the comments below once you’ve gotten on the bus, so we know your SIM card is good to go. 

Buy Us a Coffee !

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You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee . If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂

Aiden Freeborn

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Best eSIM for international travel of 2024

eSIMs that are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage

• Best overall
• Best for customizable plans
• Best for easy installation
• Best value for money
• Best for security
• Best for data-only plans
• Best for business
• Best for frequent travellers
• Best for unlimited data
• Best for network coverage
• Best for Europe
• eSIMs for international travel FAQs

eSIMs have gained a lot of traction in recent years, especially in international travel. Admit it, you do not like getting into huge queues to buy a SIM just after you’ve landed at your dream location. You can now skip the queue with the best eSIM for international travel, with plans ranging from 3 days to as long as a year.

These eSIMs are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage. However, with so many providers offering eSIMs, which one should you purchase? We have done the hard yards to find and review the best eSIM you can get for international travel, regardless of whether you want to travel to Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, or Australia. So, make sure you read till the end to know everything you could ever need before purchasing your next eSIM.

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The best eSIM for international travel of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Best eSIM overall

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Airhub is a huge online store from which you can buy eSIMs in over 190+ countries worldwide. It has a massive variety of eSIM plans that include data, local call minutes, SMS, and international call minutes. 

While most eSIM providers usually have around 3-5 plans per country, Airhub provides up to 15 plans to choose from for a single country which gives you the flexibility to select the plan that resonates best with your needs. Also, Airhub has truly managed to make some of the best partnerships with local companies to offer the cost-effective deals that it does. 

If you're going to hang in a country for multiple months, you can simply go for the monthly subscriptions. Some of these plans also include unlimited voice minutes and SMS - you truly get the best deal here. 

The majority of plans that you will find on the website are prepaid, with a few postpaid plans and a postpaid monthly subscription in a few countries, the most important one being the United States. However, it doesn't have strong coverage in Latin America. For example, I found them offering only a single plan in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Moreover, there are no plans for countries like Cuba, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador. 

The regional plans offer an attractive price proposition as well, with options available in APAC, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Europe. We highly recommend the Europe plan if you're about to go on a Europe tour. Airhub covers up to 49 countries in the plans, with the plans starting at just $11 for a month with a 3GB data limit. We could also spot a few 1-year plans in Europe ranging from 10GB to 100GB for the year.  

When you open the Airhub app, there's not a lot going on like most other eSIM apps — the interface is clean and intuitive. After logging in, you will find a page that lets you select the country, with three tabs differentiating local eSIMs, regional eSIMs, and Monthly plans (note that the global package is included in the regional eSIM category). 

Concluding, Airhub stands out with its great plans, minimalist apps, and websites and ticks all the boxes of travelers and remote workers looking for an affordable and effective eSIM. 

Read our full Airhub review.

• ^ Back to the top

Best eSIM for customizable plans

Airalo is easily one of the best eSIM providers for travelers looking for an affordable and reliable SIM card, which is in more than 200 countries. The stand-out thing about Airalo is its great collaborations with local telco companies all over the world which makes it the cost leader that it is today. 

Keep in mind that this also means the cost of Airalo depends on the place you're traveling to, and the cost of data there — validity and data limit being the other two factors that affect its price.

It also offers 7 regional plans, including Latin America and Caribbean Islands — regions that aren’t well catered by other eSIM providers.

It also has a specific global plan that provides access to around 84 countries worldwide — perfect for international travelers. You can choose between 1GB to 20GB of data spread across 7 days to 180 days validity. 

To buy the eSIM, you simply have to go to the app, create an account, choose the place you are traveling to, and the package of your choice, and then install the eSIM. After that, you’ll need to follow a simple eSIM activation procedure, and that’s it. The payment can be made through a credit card or Apple Pay. 

One major thing to look out for when getting an Airalo eSIM is that most of them don't offer voice minutes — there's only a data plan. So if you're someone who makes a lot of voice calls throughout the day, you might want to look out for an alternative here. That said, you can always communicate via Internet calls when needed. 

Airalo has a loyalty feature where you get credit every time you purchase data from the service provider. Initially, you get a 5% Airalo credit for every purchase, which keeps increasing as you collect more and more credit. So, initially, if you spend $20 on a package, you get a $1 credit that you can use for future purchases. 

Read our full Airalo review.

Best eSIM for easy installation

AloSIM is a Canada-based tech company that offers great prepaid data SIMs at affordable prices. One innovative feature of the app is its Data Calculator which helps you find the estimated data that you will require depending on the things you use your internet for on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Once you have decided on the amount of data you need, you can head over to the eSIM area and select a plan to your liking.

The reason why this is so great is because it bears testimony to the brand's transparency and genuineness. Being able to calculate your daily requirements won't let you overspend on something you don't need. 

Another thing we love about AloSIM is that you get to see which partnering networks you're gonna be connected with before you purchase any package so that you can assure that you are connected to a reliable network. You can also check the speed availability in the region (3G, 4G, 5G, or LTE). This is something most eSIM providers do not offer.

Installing the eSIM is also easy with AloSIM. There are three ways in which you can do that:

1. Automatic installation — if you want to start using your plan straight away, you should go with this option. 

2. Scanning QR code — this option is available in almost all eSIM providers — you just have to scan the QR code to activate your network. 

3. Manual installation — You will have to go through a step-by-step instruction manual to adjust your settings and activate your eSIM. 

The prices at AloSIM are among the most reasonable we've seen. You can get the 5 GB for 30 days plan for as low as $16 in the US. That's a lot of difference compared to the plan your home SIM can provide you. Plus, data sharing is supported, so you can use your personal hotspot to connect to other devices or let a friend free ride with you. AloSIM also offers as many as 11 regional plans — one of the highest on our list. 

However, we couldn’t spot a regional plan for Africa or an extensive Asian plan. The Asian regional plan covers just five countries in Southeast Asia. Thus, it isn’t a great option if you’re traveling East.

Just like every data-only eSIM, you will not get a phone number with AloSIM. Also, there's no unlimited plan for you to rely on if you're a data junkie. Overall, AloSIM stands out with its transparency, auto-installation feature, and affordable price. 

Read our full AloSIM review.

Best eSIM for value for money

Nomad eSIM is a great option if you’re on short trips and need a travel eSIM that doesn't cost you a fortune. It is well-known for its short-duration plans of 7 and 15 days. Its offerings are divided into regional plans and individual country plans. 

You can also purchase an unlimited data plan in selected individual countries, such as the UK, something that isn’t available with regional plans. With Nomad, you can purchase 1GB of data for as low as $1.30 (in Asia and the Americas).

It has an incredible value proposition in North America, Asia, and Europe. However, when it comes to Latin America, you can definitely find cheaper options. For example, 1GB of data with a 7-day validity costs $9 on Nomad. However, the same plan is available at $6.5 on Airalo , with both of them covering the same three counties —Canada, USA, and Mexico,

What we love about this provider is that it doesn't charge you any one-time connection fee or even a fee for the SIM card itself. There's no hidden cost, and you don't have to worry about enormous roaming costs as well. Just pay for the upfront amount of the package, and you’re good to go.

There are eight regional plans - APAC, Nordic, Europe, SEA - Oceania, Global, North America, Africa, and Middle East. Regional plans allow you to buy the plan once and use it in a specific group of countries - no need to buy a new eSIM for every country you travel to. For example, if you’re visiting France, Germany, and Italy, simply get the European regional plan. You’ll not need to buy a separate eSIM in each country.

The global plan is decent, with an option to purchase a global e-Sim for either 110 countries or 140 countries. The 110-country plan starts at $25/GB (validity of 7 days), while the 140-country plan starts at $19/GB for the same validity period.

Recently, Nomad added an SMS plan available in selected countries like Canada, the United States, and the UK. We found the plan to be pretty reasonable, too, starting at 100 texts for $4. 

What's more, Nomad has one of the most user-friendly apps. You can easily find all the plans, and the interface is very clean. You can also track your data usage on the go and add more data if you seem to be outrunning your current limit. 

If you're not an expert at understanding chunky instructions, you'll love its setup process that takes you through the app step by step and even includes pictures to clearly illustrate what you need to do. 

If there's still something you need help understanding, there's built-in 24/7 message support, and the response time is quick and reliable. It doesn't have a live chat feature like most of the peers.

In conclusion, Nomad is a solid option for frequent travelers with its short-term packages at affordable prices and easy-to-set-up interface. With the commendable user-friendliness of this provider’s app and reliable customer support, it’s one of the best travel eSIMs. 

Read our full Nomad review.

Best eSIM for security

5. Instabridge

Instabridge has been around for a while, and its eSIM services are truly one to consider if you are looking for a safe and seamless internet connection. This is especially recommended if you're going to stay in one place for a long time — you can find plans that last up to a year.

It is the #1 app on iPhone for global internet access, and with access to more than 190 countries and over 200 million app downloads, you can guess that it's a hot pick among travelers.  However, you do not get any call minutes or SMS facility with Instabridge’s eSIM. Thus, you’ve to rely on Internet-based voice calls and texts.

If you are tight on budget but want to purchase a plan, you can score mobile data packages by watching ads on the app. The collection won't be too grand, of course, but it'll get you a decent data pack if you spend your free time on the app. 

The app in itself is pretty modern and intuitive. You can simply select the country you’re traveling to and choose the amount of data you need. Next, select the duration — one-time, monthly, or yearly. You’re done — simply make the payment and enjoy your internet.

Note that the website on the desktop version doesn't show all the local plans, so it's important to check the plans on the app if you don't find a suitable plan for you. You can pick between subscriptions and one-off plans depending on your needs. The website typically doesn’t show data plans for more than 30 days.

Customer support isn't always the fastest — it can take a few hours to get a reply if you're stuck in the middle of something. But you can look out for the FAQs and manuals to help you out, and the app is easy to use, too. So there are chances that you might not even need customer support.  

You can purchase multiple plans with the same eSIM, so there's no need to collect a hefty number of eSIMs if you're traveling to multiple places. For example, if you're going to visit the USA, Germany, and France over the holidays, you can just purchase a plan for each of these places and track the data usage of each of these packages through the app. 

Instabridge has a strong commitment to bringing the internet to everyone. For the same, it has decided to give away 1GB of data to someone in a developing nation for every 1GB of data you purchase.

Concluding, Instabridge is a solid provider of data-only plans, a must-have for users who value security over anything.

Read our full Instabridge review.

Best eSIM for data-only plans

6. Flexiroam

eSIMs are an important part of Flexiroam's wide line of products, and it's one of the best data-only eSIM lines out there. You get access to more than 500 mobile networks worldwide through its partnership with Jersey Telecom, with multiple networks in a single place, meaning you are never limited to just one network with this one. 

When traveling, the eSIM automatically connects itself to the strongest network connection in that area for reliable and strong coverage no matter where you go.  If you still don't feel content with the connected network, you can manually switch to the provider of your choice and use it if you find that more comfortable. 

Most providers like Airalo and BNESIM work with one single provider in one area, and it’s possible that the local provider might not be the best for the area you're visiting. This is never the issue with Flexiroam.

There are more than 700 eSIM plans to choose from. However, these plans aren’t as neatly categorized as some other providers. You’ll have to select from a long drop-down list when looking for individual country plans.

Its regional plans are a mixed bag of chocolates. While there are two unique regional plans — Greater Europe and Greater China, we couldn’t find a regional plan for Asia that is offered by almost every other competitor. If you’re on an Asian trip, you’ll want to look at some other eSIMs on our list.

Having said that, Flexiroam is among the few providers that include plans for less than 7 days, and unlike Holafly , it allows data sharing through both tethering and Hotspot. So if you're traveling in a group, you can just buy a single pack and share it with your entire group.

Being a data-only eSIM, you don't get a phone number to call in case there's a network coverage issue and your internet stops working. This can usually be a problem if you're traveling to remote places.

In conclusion, Flexiroam is definitely worth your bucks if you are looking for a data-only eSIM for its affordability and wider network coverage.  

Read our full Flexiroam review.

Best eSIM for business

Saily is a newcomer in the eSIM market that’s quickly gaining popularity among budget-conscious travelers looking for a straightforward and reliable service. Launched in 2024 by Nord Security, the company behind the well-known NordVPN, Saily offers competitive pricing and a user-friendly app that makes it an attractive choice for those new to eSIMs.

One of Saily's standout features is its affordable data plans, with prices starting at just $1.65 for 20GB of data. This makes it an excellent option for travelers who want to stay connected without breaking the bank. Saily's plans are country-specific, meaning you'll need to purchase a separate plan for each destination you visit. While this may be less convenient for those traveling to multiple countries, it allows for more customized pricing based on local network costs.

Saily has also launched a business solution tailored to keep employees connected all the time while traveling for work. The eSIM app offers automatic, one-tap installation that takes a few minutes.

Saily's coverage spans over 150 countries, including popular destinations like the United States, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and India. The company partners with local providers to ensure reliable connections and fast data speeds in most regions. However, I found that Saily's coverage is slightly more limited compared to some of its competitors, such as Airalo.

But where Saily really shines is its commitment to simplicity. The app's minimalistic design and intuitive interface make it easy for even first-time eSIM users to navigate. The installation process is straightforward, with clear on-screen instructions guiding users through purchasing plans and activating their eSIMs. 

While Saily may not offer as many features as some of its more established competitors, it excels at providing a streamlined and hassle-free experience. The app's clean layout makes it easy to track your data usage and top up your plan when needed. And if you do run into any issues, Saily offers 24/7 customer support via live chat within the app, ensuring you can get help whenever you need it.

In summary, Saily is an excellent choice for travelers who prioritize affordability and simplicity. With its competitive pricing, user-friendly app, and reliable coverage, it's a strong contender in the growing eSIM market. While it may not have the most extensive feature set or country coverage, Saily's focus on delivering a seamless user experience makes it a compelling option for budget-conscious globetrotters.

Read our full Saily review.

Best eSIM for frequent travellers

Jetpac is a Singapore-based eSIM provider founded in 2022. With its expansive coverage spanning over 100 countries, Jetpac offers reliable internet access through both regional and global plans, catering to a variety of travel needs. Whether you're on a short 4-day trip or an extended 30-day journey, Jetpac ensures you're always connected. Their flexible data plans range from 1GB to 40GB or more, ensuring you have the data you need for every situation. 

Jetpac has partnered with local networks around the world to guarantee high-speed internet, with most connections offering 4G/LTE and even 5G speeds where available. This means you can enjoy smooth browsing, streaming, and communication no matter where you are. 

One of Jetpac’s standout features is its SmartDelay service. By registering your flight with Jetpac, you can gain complimentary access to airport lounges if your flight is delayed or canceled. This service can accommodate up to five travelers, making it a valuable perk for families or groups. Imagine the convenience of relaxing in a comfortable lounge, complete with refreshments and Wi-Fi, rather than waiting at the gate during unexpected delays.

Another notable feature is the ability to share your hotspot and connect with your laptop, tablet, or other devices to your Jetpac eSIM, ensuring that all your gadgets stay online wherever you go. This feature is particularly beneficial for business travelers who need to stay productive or for families wanting to keep everyone connected on a single plan.

Setting up Jetpac’s eSIM is straightforward and user-friendly. By downloading the Jetpac app, you are guided through the simple installation process. Additionally, Jetpac’s website offers detailed resources and guides to assist with any questions you might have. The company’s dedication to customer support is evident, with a team available around the clock to assist via email or live chat.

It's important to note that your device must be eSIM compatible to use Jetpac’s services. While the eSIM can be downloaded and installed before you depart, the data plan will only activate once you arrive in a supported country. Overall, we were impressed by Jetpac's perks and customer support options.

Read our full Jetpac review.

Best eSIM for unlimited data

Holafly eSIM cards are among the few options offering unlimited data plans — you can send as many videos and photos with your family without worrying about the data limit. In the few countries that don't give unlimited data, it offers higher data limits than most other providers. 

In terms of duration, too, there's great flexibility. You can get plans that last 5, 10, 15, 20, 60, and 90 days. In short, there will always be a plan close to the number of days you're traveling for in about 160 countries that Holafly caters to.

On the price front, Holafly is a little high-end, but it's worth the unlimited data and stress-free traveling it offers. For example, its 5-day unlimited data plan for the USA costs $19. It also offers regional plans. However, we found it tough to locate these plans on its website, as there’s no dedicated “Regional Plans” section as in some other websites like Nomad and Airhub.

Brands like Airalo are significantly cheaper than Holafly, but you will have to get top-up plans if you exhaust your data mid-journey, which can be troublesome if you travel alone and don't have anyone to provide you hotspot in the meantime. 

Installing the eSIM is also a breeze with Holafly. Simply scan the QR code you receive after purchasing a plan and follow the prompts. You will be guided through each step of the process, and the payment can be made through various portals like a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. You can also use a code for manual installation if you don't want to scan the QR code. 

Holafly‘s customer support is one of the best in the market. You can expect a reply from them within less than a minute of entering your query. With language support in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, you can easily access the 24/7 support via WhatsApp or chat. On top of that, there's a frequently asked questions section that will solve most of your queries regarding the installation of the eSIM. 

However, if you plan to buy a single Holafly eSIM for your family, thinking that the unlimited data plan will do the trick, beware. Holafly eSIM doesn't allow data sharing with other devices as of now. 

While Holafly has great data plans, it doesn't include calls with all plans or SMS service. Currently, you can make calls for up to 60 minutes and receive calls for up to 60 minutes in Europe, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. However, we didn’t find this off-putting due to the sheer non-functionality of SMS and calls these days. You can always make calls or send texts through Holafly’s unlimited Internet ( WhatsApp , Skype, or other apps).   Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.  

Read our full Holafly review.

Best eSIM for network coverage

BNESIM offers mobile data contracts in over 170 countries.  You can rest assured that no matter which country you are traveling to, you will definitely find a plan or more with BNESIM. 

Where this provider wins against the competition is its “pay-as-you-go” plans. These are plans with no expiration date. For example, if you purchase the 1GB USA data plan for $6.73, you can use the plan as long as you do not exhaust the entire data without any time restriction. This is particularly helpful for users who use minimal data and end up wasting their data by the end of the plan. 

What we like about BNESIM is its diverse regional plans. It currently offers Regional plans in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. Apart from this, there are two unlimited data regional plans — something other providers don’t offer. 

1. BNESIM Infinity Europe

2. BNESIM Infinity Asia

For example, the Infinity Asia plan covers 28 countries with options to purchase one-time, daily, and monthly plans. We found the “Daily Plan’ really useful in the modern data usage context. It offers a certain data limit for each day of the plan. For example, the 1GB daily data Asia plan costs just $8.85 — a steal, in our opinion.

We also found an extensive “support” section on its website with guides on installing eSIMs on various devices, such as iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. Each of these guides includes pictures that make your job easier. Just like Airalo , BNESIM also partners with local networks to provide reliable bandwidth, which makes the network stronger in some areas.

However, if you’re looking for a longer-duration plan, BNESIM doesn’t get the job done. With a maximum validity of 30 days, their plans primarily focus on short-duration plans. Another weird thing about BNESIM is its “auto-renewal” feature — your plan will be auto-renewed at the end of the term. You’ll have to cancel the plan manually on its website or app.

All in all, BNESIM is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a flexible and cost-effective global roaming solution for frequent travel. 

Best eSIM for Europe

11. Holiday eSIM

Holiday eSIM is the best-prepaid service provider if you're traveling to Europe, with robust connections in every European country for high-speed data.  

What we like the most about this provider is that, unlike others, you get a French number with the eSIM. Its most popular plan includes unlimited calls and texts in Europe, 120 minutes of worldwide calling, and 1,000 texts. That's more than enough proposition for whatever your needs are. But of course, if all you are looking for is a data eSIM, you can also purchase the data-only packages it offers. 

The Orange holiday app is user-friendly and doesn't require any registration prior to installing the eSIM. All you have to do is install the eSIM, and the provider will automatically connect to the strongest local European mobile network provider in that area.  

Costing around $44.10 for 10GB of data with a validity of 14 days, you might argue that this isn't a cheap option. However, if you're looking to have amazing internet no matter which European street you are wandering on, this is worth the penny it costs.

Besides the European plan, there's also a competent data-only global plan with 6GB of data with a 15-day validity. What’s more — you can share your data as a hotspot, so if you want to work on your laptop while away, it won't be a problem. 

However, it doesn’t offer a lot of plan options. Thus, you do not have much flexibility, either in terms of the validity period or data limits. Moreover, we did not like the website interface as much as some other providers on our list. Finding your destination country is difficult — you’ll have to choose from a long list of options. Even when you do, you’ll find “Regional” and “Global” plans in every country. This essentially means that Holiday eSIM does not offer as many individual country plans. 

In conclusion, if you value your network connection more than your product's budget-friendliness, you should consider this for your European trip. While we're not trying to take away that this provider's plans will cost you more than the local plan you can buy from a local provider, there are also a few cheaper options that might work for you if your internet usage isn't a lot. 

Best eSIMs for international travel FAQs

What is an esim  .

eSIMs are digital SIM cards already embedded in your mobile device. They are small rewritable chips fixed inside your phone, which connect with an antenna to eliminate the need for a physical SIM. 

Since an eSIM is rewritable, you can change your operator with just a simple setting change. The antenna connects to whichever network you select, so there’s no need to purchase a new SIM. 

eSIMs have been around for quite some time. But when Apple decided to remove the good old SIM card slot and shift the iPhone to being completely eSIM-featured, this feature got its moment in the spotlight. The main reason eSIMs are preferred is because of their ease of use.

Some other reasons why eSIMs have gained popularity include environmental sustainability, reduced battery consumption, and the ability to switch networks on the fly in remote areas.

While there’s no major difference between using an eSIM card and a physical SIM card, eSIMs could be a slight turnoff when you want to switch phones. That said, the benefits of eSIM certainly outweigh physical SIM cards in most scenarios.

Why should I get an eSIM for international travel?  

Now that we know what an eSIM is, let’s dive into why it’s so beneficial for international travel. The best thing about them is that you can store as many as eight (sometimes even more) on your phone and activate them when needed without additional roaming charges. 

Of course, if your current network operator provides free roaming service, there's no need to consider a travel-specific or local SIM. But if that's not the case, it can be quite a task to find the right operator and negotiate with language barriers.

eSIMs are also generally more secure than physical SIMs since there’s no way to remove them, so they can’t get lost. And if your phone gets lost or stolen, tracking it is much easier since eSIMs cannot be removed from the device. 

Note that international roaming works the same way on physical SIMs and eSIMS. The only difference that sets the two apart is that while you can add only two physical SIMs at a time, you can conveniently purchase an eSIM from a local carrier and switch your eSIM operators as you visit multiple locations. 

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?  

Most phones manufactured after 2018 are compatible with eSIMs, except for a few exceptions depending on the location and carrier. iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are among the first eSIM-compatible iPhones that came out in 2018. 

Follow these steps to see if your iOS is eSIM compatible and carrier unlocked:

• Go to Settings > General > About
• Scroll down to find the Carrier Lock section
• If your device is unlocked, it will show "No SIM restrictions" If that's not the case, you need to unlock your device first. 
• If you have an iOS 15 or later, Scroll down to "Available SIM" and if you have earlier iOS versions, find "Digital SIM"
• If your phone supports eSIMs, it will show a 15-digit IMEI number 

The following are the latest models that support eSIM: 

• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Mini
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 3 (2022)
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

You can also use eSIMs on the following iPads: 

• iPad Pro 11″ (model A2068 onwards)
• iPad Air (model A2123 onwards)
• iPad Pro 12.9″ (model A2069 onwards)
• iPad (model A2198 onwards)
• IPad 10th generación (2022)
• iPad Mini (model A2124 onwards)

For Android numbers, it is best to check with the manufacturer if your device is compatible with eSIM. This, too, depends on the model, place of manufacturing, and the carrier used for the Android device.  

Another way to check is by going to the settings > Network & Internet and tapping on the "eSIM cards". If you find a "Download a SIM instead?" option, your device is eSIM-compatible 

You can also check if your phone has an EID (Embedded Identity Document Number), which is the serial number that matches the eSIM embedded in your device. 

• Dial *#06# and press call
• If your device is eSIM-compatible, you'll be able to view your EID number

Some popular Android phones that support eSIMs include: 

• Samsung Galaxy S21 models
• Samsung Galaxy S22 models
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20
• Samsung Galaxy Fold Series
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Series
• Samsung Galaxy S23 models
• Google Pixel 7
• Google Pixel 6
• Google Pixel 4
• Google Pixel Fold
• Google Pixel 3 XL
• Huawei P40 Series
• Oppo Reno 5A
• Oppo Find X5
• Sony Xperia 1 V
• Xiaomi 13 Series
• Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
• Motorola Edge+
• Motorola Razr 2019

Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list — it’s only an indicative list of popular smartphones that support eSIMs. In case you do not find your phone year, check with your manufacturer. 

How to choose the best eSIM for international travel 

While all the providers have something or the other to offer,  it's important to know the factors that make an eSIM the best among them. 

1. Which place are you traveling to?

It's important to check the network coverage of an eSIM in the place you're visiting. eSIM providers often offer amazing coverage in particular countries but mediocre performance in others. This is because eSIMs collaborate or partner with local service providers in different countries to enhance network coverage. So make sure that you check the service of the local provider that's accessible to you and select the eSIM provider that has coverage to the place you're traveling to. 

Depending on the number of places you are going to visit, you can select local, regional, and global eSIMs. Here's how they differ:

• Local eSIM — you should go for this eSIM if you're traveling to just one country. For example, if you're traveling to Paris, you can get a local France eSIM.
• Regional eSIM — This is a perfect option if you're going to travel to a couple of countries within the same region. Let’s say you're planning a Europe trip; in that case, instead of buying a local SIM for each country, it’s a lot more convenient to get a regional eSIM that will work on all the countries in Europe you're visiting.
• Global eSIM — global eSIM allows you to connect several countries all over the world, which is perfect if you're going to travel worldwide or counties that are in different regions.

How much data will you need?

If your data requirements are ambitious, you should preferably look for a cheap eSIM or one that provides unlimited data. On the other hand, if your data needs aren't too demanding, but you need internet in remote places, you might have to shell out a bit more for quality internet. To get an idea of how much data different apps use up, have a look at this: 

• Google Maps: 5MB per hour
• Social Media: 50MB per hour
• Internet Browsing: 50MB per hour
• Online Gaming: 70+MB per hour
• Streaming Music: 100MB per hour
• SD Video: 1GB per hour
• HD Video: 4GB per hour
• 4K Video: 7GB per hour

3. How long will you be abroad?

All eSIM providers have different validity options — you can choose between 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90-day plans, and so on. Find a plan with a validity period that outlines how long you're going to be using the eSIM. 

Some eSIM providers provide plans shorter than 7 days; look out for them if you're going to be away for the weekend. On the other hand, if your data usage is moderate, but you are traveling for longer periods, an unlimited plan might be the best for you. 

How does an eSIM work?

An eSIM card or embedded SIM card is a chip in your phone that lets you connect to a network by simply downloading an eSIM profile and activating it without having to swap the SIM card physically. 

eSIMs function similarly to physical cards — the only difference is that the card, instead of being inserted into the devices, can now be downloaded through an Android or iOS app and activated by scanning a QR code. 

It is very easy to install an eSIM into the devices that are compatible with it. You can use multiple operators simultaneously and add several data plans according to your needs, as there's no physical space required to limit the number. 

You just have to change the profile to switch between one eSIM to another. This way, you can find the network in another eSIM if one SIM doesn't have a network. You can even have one SIM each for business and personal purposes.  

Since eSIMs can be updated electronically, providers in the US and UK are using eSIMs for the Internet of Things, adding a mobile network to almost anything that could use one, like cars and traffic lights.

While all the latest Apple devices are eSIM-compatible, most Android devices are also catching up. For example, the new Motorola Razr doesn't have a physical SIM card slot and only supports eSIM. Google Pixel phones and other Android devices, including laptops and tablets, have started providing eSIMs too. 

If you have already set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps to activate your SIM:

• On turning on your phone, you will find a notification appearing that says "Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed", tap on it.
• If it doesn't pop up right away, In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
• You will find a "Continue" at the bottom of the screen. After that, the plan must have been activated.
• Make a call on your iPhone to check its cellular connectivity.
• If you're unable to make the call, contact your carrier. If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM, your eSIM has been activated. Now remove your physical SIM. Then restart your iPhone.
• After this, your eSIM will actively run on your phone, and you can use it along with your physical SIM cards too. This will especially be appreciated by those who don't like to give away their phone numbers when traveling abroad.

Can I use more than one eSIM provider when traveling abroad? 

Yes, you can use more than one eSIM, depending on whether you use Android or iOS. When traveling, you’d want to use at least two SIMs simultaneously so that you don't lose touch with the older SIM contact when using the new local SIM. 

iPhones can store up to 5-10 eSIMs on the device, depending on the exact model. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Mini allow you to use two eSIMs simultaneously. On the flip side, you can use only one eSIM with iPhone 12 models, iPhone 11 models, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Similarly, Androids can also store 5-7 eSIMs on the device. However, you can only activate and use one eSIM at a time. 

This makes your work a lot easier. Suppose you’re traveling to Asia and Europe within a short span of time; you can purchase two eSIMs on your device. Simply activate the eSIM once you transition from one destination to another. This is more convenient compared to traditional SIMs, where you would have had to physically purchase a SIM at every destination you visit.

Traditional phones generally feature a maximum of 2 SIM cards in devices with dual SIM slots. In devices like iPhones that usually don't have a dual SIM feature, you will have to get a student device if you wish to use more than one SIM at once. 

How to set up and activate an eSIM on iOS

Devices like the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later support eSIM. And recently, it completely ditched the physical SIM card slot in all the US models of iPhone 14. While other countries still have the SIM card slot, Apple has made it clear that it will soon completely get rid of the physical SIM card.  

Note that Apple’s eSIM feature is not yet available in mainland China and a few parts of Hong Kong and Macao. But if you have an Android device, eSIMs are still an option on your visit to China.

Setting up and activating an eSIM is super easy if you follow the instructions below:

• On your iOS device, follow Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If this doesn't work, try Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
• Click on the “Transfer from Nearby iPhone” option. At this point, remember that both iPhones have to be on iOS 16 for this to work.
• You will find instructions on the old model to help you through the process. Either tap the transfer button or enter the verification code on the older phone, which will be sent to the new iPhone.
• Once you transfer the eSIM to the newer iPhone, it is deactivated from your old device, and your carrier will send you a notification to complete the setup on your new iPhone.

QR code support:

• If your carrier has issued you a QR code, you can simply select “Use QR Code” while setting up the new iPhone.
• You can find the “Use QR Code” option under Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM. 

How to set up and activate an eSIM on Android?

Most new smartphone models like the Samsung Galaxy series and Google Pixel have eSIM capabilities. 

Once you’ve confirmed that your specific Android device supports eSIMs, you can obtain the activation kit from your provider and install it by following the steps below:

• Go to Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager on your Android phone. Tap “Add Mobile Plan”.
• If you have a QR code, select “Scan Operator QR code” and scan the code with your phone's camera. If entering manually, select “Enter Activation Code” and carefully type in the code from your carrier.
• Your phone will take a minute or two to download the eSIM profile and register it on the network. Once complete, tap “OK”.
• To manage your eSIM, go back to SIM Card Manager in your Android device’s settings. From there you can view your eSIM info, select your active SIM, and continue adding additional eSIMs.

Many of the eSIM providers on this list also provide device-specific guides to help you get started quickly. If you feel lost, just check their knowledge bases for more details!

Are eSIM better than physical SIM cards?  

eSIMs offer several advantages over traditional SIM cards. They provide greater flexibility, convenience, and security for users — all while saving device space and reducing battery consumption.

While the technology is still relatively new and not universally supported yet, eSIMs will likely become the standard in the coming years as more devices and carriers adopt it. 

Here’s an overview of some key advantages of using an eSIM:

Seamless Activation

One of the biggest advantages of eSIMs is the ease of activation and switching between carriers. With an eSIM, you can activate service or change providers with just a few taps on your device, without having to go to a store to get a physical SIM. 

This makes it much more convenient, especially when traveling internationally.

Increased Security

eSIMs offer enhanced security compared to physical SIMs. They cannot be physically removed or stolen from a device, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or SIM cloning. Some eSIMs even have self-destructing features that erase data after failed authentication attempts

Designs Options

Since eSIMs are embedded directly into devices and don't require a separate slot, they free up valuable space inside smartphones. This allows manufacturers to make devices slimmer, include larger batteries, or add other features. The lack of a removable SIM tray also improves water and dust resistance.

Multiple Profiles

A single eSIM can store multiple carrier profiles, allowing you to switch between them as needed. This is especially useful if you want to use separate lines for work and personal use on a single phone, or if you frequently travel and need to use local service in different countries. 

With an eSIM, you can do this without juggling multiple physical SIM cards.

Reliable Connectivity

eSIMs can provide more reliable connectivity than physical SIM cards. SIM cards can come loose, get damaged, or degrade over time, potentially leading to signal issues. The embedded nature of eSIMs makes them less prone to these physical connectivity problems.

Environmental Sustainability

Switching to eSIMs offers significant environmental benefits compared to using physical SIM cards. eSIMs eliminate the need for plastic SIM card production, packaging, and transportation, reducing the telecom industry's carbon footprint.

By enabling remote provisioning and digital distribution of SIM profiles, eSIMs also cut down on the need for users to travel to stores for activation or changes, further decreasing emissions.

Are there any risks to using eSIMs? 

eSIMs are no more dangerous than physical SIM cards. They both employ the same encryption methods and security protocols to protect user data. The only possible security disadvantage of eSIMs is that they are a relatively new technology and some users may find the setup process more complex.

But, in many cases, eSIMs may actually be safer. Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs cannot be physically removed or tampered with, reducing the risk of SIM cloning or unauthorized SIM swapping. Because they are a more recent technology, eSIMs also have additional security features like remote provisioning and encrypted communications, which make them safer to use.

All that said, eSIMs are not infallible. Just like physical SIM cards, they can be hacked into by an attacker with enough skills and determination. As an eSIM user, you can protect yourself by using strong unique passwords, keeping your eSIM software updated, and only downloading profiles from trusted sources.

Final verdict 

eSIMs have, undoubtedly, made traveling much easier. With affordable plans, excellent connections, and various validity options to choose from, eSIMs are the future of telecommunication. 

The only question is — which eSIM should you purchase? If you do not require voice call minutes (which I believe most wouldn’t), Airalo is your best bet. It has a lot of plan options to choose from, with validities as long as 180 days. It offers affordable local plans in as many as 200 countries, besides 7 regional plans and a value-for-money global plan. And since it partners with local network providers, you can rest assured of seamless connectivity as well. 

If you do want to make voice calls and send text messages, Airhub should be your go-to option. It offers plans in more than 190 countries, with more than 15 plans to select from in most countries. Like Airalo, it is also a value-for-money proposition and wouldn’t cost you a fortune.

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Krishi covers buying guides and how-to's related to software, online tools, and tech products here at TechRadar. Over at Tom's Guide, he writes exclusively on VPN services. You can also find his work on Techopedia and The Tech Report. As a tech fanatic, Krishi also loves writing about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity, AI, and software.

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7 of the best international sim cards for australian travellers.

From GPS navigation to booking an Uber, smartphones have made travel a lot easier — so easy that we can’t imagine travelling without it! But that begs the question: what’s the best way to stay connected while overseas without breaking the bank?

Global roaming costs with mobile plans quickly add up and local SIM cards aren't always easy to buy. Fortunately, there’s another option: international SIM cards.

Prepaid travel SIMs come with many benefits but you need to pick your card carefully. International SIMs cover different destinations and have varying data amounts and validity periods.

Some can be recharged while others are single-use. Some are physical SIM cards while others can be downloaded from an app.

We’ve taken it all into account in our comparison to bring you the best international SIM cards for Australian travellers.

7 of the Best International SIM Cards for Australians:

Airalo Discover Global eSIM - Best Overall

Keepgo Lifetime World SIM - Best for Data

Australia Post International SIM - Cheapest Global SIM

SimCorner Europe eSIM Card - Best for European Travel

PREPAIDSIMS USA T-Mobile Travel SIM - Best for North American Travel

SimsDirect New Zealand SIM - Best for NZ Travel

Vodafone Mobile Plan - Best International Roaming

E-sim Offer

Airalo e-sim offer.

Enjoy 15% off all Airalo eSIMs with code 'SMONEY15OFF' applied at checkout through this link

Terms and conditions apply .

Airalo Discover Global eSIM - Best Overall International SIM Card

• Data options between 1GB and 20GB
• Validity options between 7 days and 180 days
• Works in 84 countries
• Easy-to-use app to buy and activate eSIMs
• Trusted by over 1 million people worldwide

More information

Airalo makes it easier than ever to stay connected overseas with their digital SIM cards. These eSIMs are easy to access and can be arranged in a heartbeat from your couch before you travel. No shipping fees or nail-biting delivery delays. Just download the straightforward Airalo app onto your phone and pick the SIM that works for your travels.

The variety of Discover Global eSIMs means you can tailor the SIM card to your travel needs. But it’s essential to check that your phone is eSIM compatible before you buy.

• Provides the ability to hotspot from your phone
• Can work in dual SIM mode (if your phone is compatible) so you can keep your Australian number active for calls and texts
• Variable top-up amounts available
• Data packs available for more than 200 countries and regions
• Customer support available 24/7

Keepgo Lifetime World SIM Card - Best International SIM Card for Data

• Comes with 3GB + bonus 2GB
• Works in 100+ countries
• Access high speed 4G internet
• Data doesn’t expire as long as you top up once per year

This is a pay-as-you-go travel SIM that allows you to stay connected in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Keepgo partners with the top mobile carriers around the globe, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2, and Orange.

We picked this as our favourite travel SIM for data because the data never expires, as long as you top up with as little as US$3 once per year. Top-up amounts include 100MB, 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 25GB.

• Can use your phone for hotspot and tethering
• Top-ups start at just US$3
• Automatic recharge is available
• 24/7 customer support

Australia Post International SIM - Cheapest Global SIM Card

• Can be used in over 90 countries
• Just $5 plus GST
• Buy $5 top-ups
• Easy to buy at your local participating post office

Of all the international SIM cards we compared, Australia Post offered easily the most affordable plan. You probably won't get far scrolling on social media with 50MB of data so you will likely still rely on WiFi. However, the ability to make and receive phone calls and texts is welcome — few international SIM cards provide this feature.

• 30 day expiry from last recharge
• 50MB substantially limits internet browsing
• 50 minutes of standard calls
• 50 standard international SMS (SMS are free to receive)
• Top up before expiry to rollover any remaining allowances

SimCorner Europe eSIM Card - Best Travel SIM for Your European Sojourn

• Generous 30GB of data
• Works in 50+ European countries and territories
• Unlimited texts and calls within the UK and Europe
• Receive 25€ credit for calls and texts to international numbers (including Australia)

Although it isn't the most affordable travel SIM for Europe, SimCorner’s Europe eSIM is ideal for staying connected. The generous 30GB of data is better than almost every other travel SIM we looked at for European travel. There are also generous inclusions for talk and text, including 25€ credit for calls back home — something few other European travel SIMs offer.

This SIM cannot be topped up, which means that once the data expires or your 30 days are up, the SIM card will no longer work. If you’re travelling for longer than 30 days or you need extra data, consider buying extra eSIMs to last your trip.

• 30 days expiry
• Provides the ability to hotspot or tether from your phone
• Comes with a French phone number
• Cannot be recharged
• Receive your virtual SIM via email

PREPAIDSIMS USA T-Mobile Travel SIM Card - Best International SIM Card for the US and Canada

• Unlimited 4G LTE data in USA
• Highly customisable
• Unlimited free calls and SMS to North America numbers

The PREPAIDSIMS USA T-Mobile travel SIM available provides unlimited data in the USA but what we really love is the customisability through add-on packs.

Just US$5 more enables you to use the SIM in Canada and Mexico — although you won’t get unlimited data in these countries. An optional International call and SMS pack allows you to make unlimited calls and SMS back home to Australia.

• Ability to hotspot or tether from your phone
• Comes with a US number
• Free delivery Australia wide
• Just $5 more to add the Canada & Mexico pack for unlimited calls & SMS and 5GB data in Canada and Mexico

SimsDirect New Zealand SIM - Best Travel SIM Card for Your NZ Trip

• Access high speed 5G internet
• Unlimited calls and texts to NZ and Aussie numbers
• Top-ups available

The SimsDirect New Zealand SIM Card (10GB)

SimsDirect makes it easy to connect as soon as you land with the New Zealand SIM card. Once activated, you will receive an NZ number to make unlimited calls and texts throughout New Zealand and to family and friends back home.

Access the very best data with high speed 5G internet using the 2degrees network. If you run out, you can top up via 2degrees. Other New Zealand travel SIM cards are available for 3GB and unlimited data.

• Ability to tether or hotspot from your phone
• Free shipping across Australia
• 100% money back guarantee
• No expiry — you can recharge after extensive periods of inactivity

Vodafone Mobile Plan - Best International Roaming Plan

• An extra $5 per day for global roaming
• Uses your local inclusions overseas
• Stay contactable through your Australian number

Vodafone International Roaming

One of the most affordable international roaming offers among Australian telcos, Vodafone allows you to use your local inclusions overseas with a $5/day fee. Once you’ve used up the data limit, you’ll be charged $5 per GB — unless you have a Vodafone Ultra+ Plan, which covers unlimited mobile data overseas.

If you have a Vodafone prepaid plan (Prepaid Plus or Pay and Go), you can also access Prepaid Roaming Add-Ons. These range from $5 for 200MB data (expires in one day) to $35 for 2GB data (expires in 7 days).

International roaming isn’t the most affordable option. It's best for short holidays or business trips where you need to use your local Australian number.

• $5 is only charged on the days you use data, make a call, or send a text
• Only valid with Vodafone Infinite, Plus or Ultra+ Plan
• Can be used for a maximum 90 days per calendar year
• Global roaming is automatically activated — you don’t have to do a thing

International SIM Card FAQs

Our favourite global SIM card for travel abroad is the Airalo Discover Global eSIM. It provides a great range of data and validity options and can be topped up as needed.

The best travel SIM for data that doesn’t expire is the Keepgo Lifetime World SIM card. Australia Post International Roaming SIM offers the most affordable prepaid option and the best postpaid mobile plan is the Vodafone international roaming plan.

The best travel SIM for Europe is the SimCorner Europe eSIM. For North America, it’s the PREPAIDSIMS USA T-Mobile Travel SIM and for New Zealand is the SimsDirect New Zealand SIM card.

It’s easier than ever to buy an international SIM card. You don't need to visit a dedicated store or buy one at the airport. These days, you can buy it online. It will then be delivered to your door (often with free delivery) or you can instantly download it via an app.

International SIM cards remove the hassle of staying connected while abroad. You can buy the SIM card online and install it on your phone before you land.

Travel SIM cards connect to local networks wherever you travel and are usually activated as soon as they connect.

Most SIM cards stipulate the terms of use. Be aware of your data limit and expiry date and read the fine print to make sure you get the most out of your travel SIM.

The cost of an international SIM card depends on the region it covers, the data amount, and the expiry date, among other things.

Most global SIM cards cost between A$50–100 in Australia. However, more affordable options are available. For example, the Australia Post International SIM card is just A$5 and it’s often cheaper if you choose a SIM card that only works in one country or region. For short trips, many international roaming plans are A$5 per day.

Many seasoned travellers swear by local SIM cards. This involves waiting until you arrive in the country and buying a SIM from a local telecom company.

This is usually the most affordable way to stay connected while you’re travelling but there are some drawbacks. It can be a hassle finding a store to buy the SIM card and you will often need ID to register the card.

The SIM card may also only work within the country you bought it in — although many SIM cards from European countries work throughout the Eurozone. Does an international sim card change your phone number? It depends. Many international SIM cards are data-only, which means you will not receive a phone number or be able to make or receive phone calls and texts.

However, many regional SIM cards or country-specific SIM cards provide their own phone number. For example, a North American SIM card may provide an American phone number and European SIMs may provide a UK or French number.

If your phone is compatible, you may be able to have two SIM cards active at the same time. This means you can have your travel SIM card or eSIM while keeping your Australian number active. Just beware those roaming charges!

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Popular eSIMs For Travel

Unlimited Data of 5G/4G Data

Unlimited Calls to standard US and Hawaiian mobile and landline numbers.

(Optional add on for international calls available)

Unlimited SMS  to standard US mobile numbers.

30 Days of service from activation date

Unlimited Data

Fast 4G/5G Data speeds upto 2GB per day/ 128kbps speeds afterwards

Not included or available 

Depends on the eSIM purchased. Your days of service will start when the eSIM is connected to a network in Europe/UK. This will be the day that your service commences.

• Unlimited standard Minutes  within EU
• 25€ credits included  for calls to international numbers such as Australia, USA, Canada and other countries

Not Included

30 days of service from activation

200GB of Data

Not Included.

Unlimited Minutes to NZ Mobiles and standard Landlines

200 International Minutes  to Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,  UK and USA

Unlimited SMS  to NZ Mobiles

200 International SMS  to Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and USA

90 Days of service from activation

250 International Minutes  to Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,  UK and USA

250 International SMS  to Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and USA

Not included

15 days of service from activation

6GB of Data

15 Days of service from activation

Fast 4G/5G Data speeds upto 2GB per day/ 512kbps speeds afterwards

Depends on the eSIM purchased. Your days of service will start when the eSIM is connected to a network in Indonesia. This will be the day that your service commences.

50GB of Data

(**Double Data Bonus. Receive a total of 100gb data when activated before October 8th 2024.**)

• Unlimited Minutes  to standard to EU & UK landlines and mobiles
• 120 International Call Minutes to the world  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)
• Unlimited SMS  to EU & UK mobiles
• 1000 SMS  (Mobiles & Standard landlines)

28 days service from activation.

Depends on the eSIM purchased. Your days of service will start when the eSIM is connected to a network in Turkiye. This will be the day that your service commences.

Popular Travel SIM Cards

Unlimited Calls to standard US and Hawaiian mobiles and landline numbers.

12GB of Data

Unlimited Minutes  within the EU and UK

Unlimited SMS  within the EU and UK

30 days service from activation.

Unlimited standard Minutes within EU & UK

25€ credits included for calls to international numbers such as Australia, USA, Canada and other countries

Fast 4G/5G Data speeds upto 10GB per 3day/ 256kbps speeds afterwards

33 Days service from activation

180 Days service from activation

Unlimited Minutes  to New Zealand Mobiles and Standard Landlines

Unlimited SMS  to New Zealand Mobiles

60 Days  of service from activation

Dream More, Travel Later

Travelling and wandering the world is quite the adventure, but sharing memories and staying in touch with those who matter shouldn’t come at a cost. That's where SimCorner comes in. Our prepaid travel SIM cards and International SIM cards offers easy, affordable, and reliable travel SIM cards for a variety of destinations around the world. Making sure your globetrotting doesn’t come with hefty roaming fees and that you stay connected with ease.

Why Travellers Love Us

Who needs the stress of roaming fees? Travel smart with prepaid International SIM cards from SimCorner. Choose the right option for your needs and stay connected without hassle.

Convenience

No roaming fees, hidden fees, or extra costs! Get a travel sim card from SimCorner and save money when travelling abroad at the best deal possible. Travel the world with your mobile phone.

Customer Service

Need help? Travel suggestions? Trouble finding the right plan? Our team of experts is here to help you with your travel SIM card needs. The right travel sim card makes all the difference to your trip.

About SimCorner

Travelling to Europe , Africa , Asia , the United Kingdom , South America , NZ , Fiji , Middle East , or the USA ? No matter where you’re going in the world, SimCorner is the one you can rely on for a cheap travel SIM and International SIM cards that keeps you connected to your loved ones, and allows you to document every moment of your trip in real time. 

Prepare for any adventure with an international SIM card that can be conveniently and quickly delivered right to your door in Australia. With a SimCorner prepaid travel SIM, you’ll be ready to begin your journey as soon as you land without having to worry about searching for a SIM card to use your phone. 

Why Choose SimCorner?

When you choose SimCorner, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you’ll never miss an important message, get stranded, or need to borrow a stranger’s phone in an emergency. We provide travellers with cheap SIM cards, reliable coverage, convenient delivery, and exceptional customer service. Whether you're searching for a travel SIM card, eSIMs, travel data SIM, or a reliable solution for international communication, we have you covered. Experience the difference of a SimCorner travel SIM on your next trip abroad.

SimCorner is proud to offer the most competitive prices on international travel SIM cards in Australia. If you happen to find a better deal anywhere else, we’ll beat it by 5% !!!

What is a prepaid SIM card?

Prepaid SIM cards are an excellent option for staying connected with family and loved ones while traveling. They offer the convenience of not worrying about expensive roaming charges, and you can often find deals that include data and minutes for phone calls at a fraction of the cost of using your regular cell phone plan!

Instead of relying solely on an uninterrupted Wifi connection to access your device’s internet, you can count on your prepaid SIM to have your data covered throughout all your travels.

The benefits of an International Travel SIM card

While communication apps like Whatsapp or Viber are handy to keep in touch with loved ones back home when you have a Wifi connection, they’re not a consistently reliable communication source when traveling about on your daily adventures. After all, WiFi isn’t always readily available, particularly when you’re sightseeing or visiting remote locations.

To ensure your safety in a foreign country, a prepaid Travel SIM is your best bet to stay connected with people back home. You can also confirm reservations with your accommodation and have constant access to all your contacts in the case of any emergency.

If you’re traveling overseas, a travel SIM card for your relevant destination will be a far cheaper option than accessing your phone’s global roaming. You’ll have a certain amount of features included, so no hidden fees or roaming charges.

Investing in a travel SIM card allows you to post your exciting travel photos on social media and send regular updates to family and friends without thinking twice! To avoid the high cost of using your domestic phone plan internationally, reap the benefits that an international travel SIM card has to offer.

What’s involved in getting a prepaid Travel SIM for your travel destination?

To buy a travel SIM card in the Australia for your travel destination, you simply need to go to SimCorner and choose a SIM option from a range of sim cards with reasonable data allowances for a price that suits your budget. Shopping for a SIM is now easier than ever. Opting for a SIM from SimCorner is guaranteed to make shopping for your travel SIM card a far smoother experience.

To avoid the hassle of sourcing a SIM once you arrive at your overseas destination, we highly recommend exploring SimCorner’s one-stop shop for prepaid SIM cards in the Australia that cover countries across the globe to suit your travel needs.

Travel SIM cards for every destination

Discover our range of travel SIM card options for countries all across the globe. Whether you’re traveling to the beautiful beaches of Europe or Brazil or looking to explore the busy streets of London, buying our prepaid SIM cards has never been easier.

SimCorner — your one-stop shop for travel accessories

Traveling and wandering the world is quite an adventure — for most of us, it doesn’t come soon enough. At SimCorner, we prioritize our customers above all else. After all, sharing memories and staying in touch with those who matter shouldn’t come at a cost. That’s why our prepaid international travel SIM cards ensure that your globetrotting adventures don’t come with hefty roaming fees. You can easily stay connected, book activities, and accommodation to watch a TV show during long travel commutes by train or plane.

To kickstart your adventures, explore our travel blog for some helpful tips on sights to see and travel hacks to save you some money! Stay prepared for your trip with our selection of accessories and avoid the horrible realization that you have an incompatible charging adapter. From portable power banks to adapters and journals to document your travels, we’ve got you covered. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team, who will be more than happy to help.

Why do you need a travel SIM card?

A travel SIM card is a great option for staying connected while traveling. They offer the convenience of not having to worry about roaming charges, and you can often find deals that include data and minutes for phone calls at a fraction of the cost of using your regular cell phone plan.

By opting for a prepaid SIM card in Australia from SimCorner, you’ll have no last-minute surprises and can guarantee an easy setup with its simple functionality. You can count on your prepaid SIM to have you covered with data throughout all your travels. That way, you can post all your travel photos on the go, keep in touch with loved ones back home and rest assured that you have access to your phone.

Which international travel SIM card is best?

While there are various international travel SIM cards on the market, none offer the generous inclusions of feature like the travel SIM card you can find at SimCorner. With no extra costs, roaming, or hidden fees, we’ve partnered with the world’s largest telecommunication services worldwide to ensure our travelers can enjoy the best possible deal wherever their adventures take them. If you’re unsure of which SIM to choose, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team, who will be happy to advise you on the right plan.

What makes SimCorner prepaid SIM cards easy to use?

If it’s a prepaid SIM card you’re after for your overseas travels, SimCorner could not be any easier — it is almost effortless to set up. Follow the steps below to install your SIM card and enjoy the ability to book activities and accommodation, and browse social media anywhere in the world:

• Order your SIM — Order your travel SIM card online and select the delivery method that best suits your travel date. SimCorner delivers to many countries worldwide, dispatching our competitive prepaid SIM cards from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
• Unlock your device — Once your international travel SIM card has arrived, ensure your device is unlocked before you board your flight. Being on a post-paid plan or contract with your local carrier doesn't mean your phone is locked. If you’re unsure, we recommend you check with your current service provider. So long as your device is unlocked, it will be compatible with our prepaid SIM cards unless stated otherwise.
• Connect your SIM — Insert your SIM card into your phone as soon as you land and stay connected immediately!

How do I inquire about a prepaid SIM?

If you have any queries on which prepaid travel SIM card is the right fit for you, contact our team of experts, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Once you’ve selected your prepaid SIM, SimCorner takes it one step further with our handy travel blog that provides exciting travel tips on sights to see and travel hacks to save you some money! So what are you waiting for? Buying a prepaid SIM card could not be easier than SimCorner.

Can I Use An eSIM for International Travel?

Yes, eSIMs are excellent for international travel, as you can easily switch to a local carrier's plan without needing a physical SIM card.

Discover the benefits of using an eSIM for travel, whether you're heading to the USA, Europe, Japan, Asia etc. Our USA eSIM ensures you stay connected while exploring the States, while the Europe eSIM offers across multiple European countries. Traveling to Japan? Discover the convenience of a Japan eSIM . And if you're exploring Asia, our eSIM Asia covers you across the region. Say hello to easy, borderless connectivity with eSIM for travel.

Get in touch

If you need any assistance finding a SIM card for overseas travel, reach out to our friendly team who will be happy to help. 

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Frequently asked questions.

Let’s face it — life’s pretty hard in the modern world without a smartphone. If you’re travelling overseas to a country where you don’t speak the language, planning an adventure a little off the beaten track, or just want to check the weather during your first night in a new town, you’re going to need a working phone. While your regular phone might be OK on the hotel Wi-Fi, only travel SIM cards can allow you to use phone data, send messages and make calls without racking up hefty roaming charges from your at-home mobile service provider.

The best prepaid SIM card depends on your destination. SimCorner offers international travel SIM cards for various regions, including Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, UK, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. If your specific destination is not listed, you can still enquire with SimCorner to find the best option for staying connected

All of the international travel SIM cards from SimCorner are designed especially for travellers, pre-loaded with set features and without any hidden fees or expensive roaming data charges. Once you’ve bought your prepaid SIM, you’ll never be charged for anything extra when you start using it.

Our prepaid SIMS come with plenty of data, so you can make internet calls back home, and video loved ones from the top of a mountain or a sunny beach. Prepaid data allows you to easily check directions when you’re out and about and share images of your trip in real-time.

Plus, our travel SIM cards come with thousands of minutes of inter-SIM calls, meaning if you and a family member or friend both purchase one, it’s free to contact each other during your trip. How easy is that?

All of our prepaid SIMs have a 15-day or 30-day service period from the date of activation — so you won’t start using up your data before putting the travel SIM card into your phone.

Are you going to be away for longer, or are you planning on using some serious data while you’re away for remote work or long chats with Mum? Simply purchase multiple prepaid SIMs. Once you’ve used up your data on one, you can switch it out for a new prepaid SIM and keep connected.

Some of our travel SIM cards also come with an option to top up credit on your existing SIM. Before you buy one of our prepaid SIMs, you can check if this is the case under ‘Things to Know’ on the product page.

All of our international travel SIM cards are supplied by reputable telecommunications providers in different parts of the world. Using them is safe and easy, but you will need to make sure your mobile device is unlocked before you leave for your big holiday. Having a postpaid phone on a plan with a local carrier isn’t the same as having a locked device — but if you’re not sure, your mobile service provider can double-check for you and help you unlock your device for easy international use.

SimCorner offer different travel SIM cards. The phone number associated with your travel SIM card depends on the type of SIM you choose. Some SIMs come with phone numbers noted on the package, others get sent by the provider to your phone. For data-only SIMs, you won't have a local number, but you can use internet-based calling and messaging services; think WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Snapchat, Skype, iMessage or Signal.

Yep! A prepaid SIM won’t alter, delete or change any information on your phone — you’ll still be able to view your apps, messages and any other information saved to the handset. If your contacts are saved in the storage on your current SIM, it’s a good idea to transfer these to your phone’s internal storage or back them up so you can access them at any time. Your WhatsApp and Messenger contacts will all still be on your phone.

When you receive your travel SIM card from SimCorner, the first step you’ll need to do is register it with us. Then, wait until you’ve reached your destination to insert the SIM card into your phone — it will activate from anywhere in the world, so you want your daily countdown to start when you’ve arrived in the country. Make sure your mobile data and data roaming services are turned on and fully enabled so you’re ready to start taking in the sights and sounds like a local!

Most of our travel SIM cards are compatible with mobiles only, meaning they won’t work on iPads or other tablets. However, you can use your mobile as a hotspot to share data with other devices. SimCorner also offers specific data-only SIM options for iPads and tablets in certain countries and regions.

SimCorner offers around-the-clock support and a money-back guarantee on all of our prepaid SIM cards — you just need to let us know about any problems as they occur. When you reach your destination, we recommend activating your SIM card at the airport, so you have a Wi-Fi connection to reach out to customer support if anything doesn’t look right.

If you’ve been a clever clog and thought ahead with a prepaid SIM to your holiday destination, you might start to rest on your laurels. Don’t forget accessories to keep you in touch throughout your trip!

Shop our range of accessories to ensure you have all the travel essentials; from universal power adaptors to wireless phone charger power banks, we’ve got everything you need to stay connected no matter where you are in the world. While you’re there, why not pick up a mask for the plane and a journal to keep all of your brilliant holiday thoughts in?

SimCorner is proud to deliver all over Australia, shipped from Melbourne. We offer a few different options depending on how soon you are travelling. If you need the sim cards urgently, we offer express shipping that can take 1-3 business day. Otherwise we offer 5-7 business days or 6-9 business days free shipping option.

If you’ve got a solo trip, a family holiday or a big adventure with the gang planned, a prepaid SIM card will keep you in touch with those back home and prepare you for any challenges that come your way.

To pick the right data plan and prepaid SIM for your holiday, get in touch with our friendly team today. We’ll be able to talk you through all the options available and set you up with the best value plan that will suit your needs.

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• Works in over 200 countries, with a single card & phone number. (And get your card FAST with express delivery).

Find your SIM Card number on the back of the product package or if you no longer have the product package, you can also find the SIM Card phone number from the plastic card .

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• Works in  over 135+ countries , with a single card & phone number. (And get your card FAST with express delivery).
• Better coverage – wherever you are – because we use over 300 networks all around the world to keep you connected.
• Your airtime lasts  one year (12 months) (Compared to local cards that expire after 6 months).

If you change your mind or can’t use our service, we will issue you a refund to the last penny on all unused services from 14 days of purchase.

TravelSim has more than 4.5 million users worldwide and covers 135+ countries, here’s why...

It’s prepaid, so you’re in control of the costs.

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Best prepaid SIM Cards for U.S. travelers and tourists 2024

Make sure you, and your phone, stay connected at all times.

At a glance

Best overall, best for short stays, best budget, best non-mvno, best prepaid data plan, best data-only plan, how to choose.

At a glance 1. Best overall 2. Best for short stays 3. Best budget 4. Best non-MVNO 5. Best prepaid data plan 6. Best data-only plan How to choose

Whether you're going on a quick vacation or moving for good, it's never a bad idea to get one of the best prepaid SIM cards so you can stay in touch with loved ones back home. Unfortunately, finding the perfect SIM card (and service) provider for all your needs can (and usually does) get a bit overwhelming. To simply things for you, we've gathered all the information about the best prepaid SIM cards for U.S. travelers and tourists in one guide.

As long as your Android phone is unlocked for international usage and compatible with local networks such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, ordering a SIM card online or through a nearby retailer should be a fairly simple affair.

Keep reading for all the best prepaid SIM cards for U.S. travelers and tourists alike. If you want to go even deeper, you can also check our detailed guide to the best MVNO carriers or save some cash with the best MVNO deals of the month.

Patrick is an experienced deal hunter with a particular interest in helping people save money on their phone bills. Whether you're switching to an affordable MVNO or upgrading to one of the Big Three, utilizing Patrick's years of experience in the eCommerce space can help you cut through the noise and find the carrier that works for you. 

From $15/mo. at Mint Mobile

Now owned by T-Mobile, a Mint Mobile SIM is a perfect choice if you're staying in the U.S. for three months or longer, offering unlimited talk/text, a mobile hotspot, and much more. 

Read more below.

From $19/mo. at Ultra Mobile

The Ultra Mobile 3GB plan gives you a month of unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide on T-Mobile, up to 3GB of 5G/4G LTE data, and free Wi-Fi calling too.

Read more below.  

From $15/mo. at Lycamobile

If the ability to call abroad is your main focus, all of Lycamobile's plans come with unlimited talk and text to over 100 countries and a wide variety of data options.

From $30/mo. at AT&T

Best non-MVNO 

With AT&T Prepaid's plan you'll get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data with 5G access and the ability to text over 230 countries. Unused data gets rolled over to the next month. 

From $40/mo. at T-Mobile

Although T-Mobile's prepaid plan is a bit pricey, you get 10GB of data, free mobile hotspot usage, and full access to the world's largest 5G network. 

From $35/mo. at Cricket Wireless

If you just need data for your travels, Cricket's data-only plan offers a minimum of 20GB of high-speed data, as well as free usage in Mexico and Canada.

1. Mint Mobile

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Mint Mobile is among the best MVNO carriers available today and uses T-Mobile's (its parent company) 4G LTE and 5G network infrastructure, and that makes it a solid prepaid SIM card to get if you plan on staying in the U.S. for at least three months. As we found in our Mint Mobile review , the carrier's 5G connectivity is strong, and its phone compatibility is one of the best in the country.

With Mint Mobile, you need to purchase at least three months of service in advance. After that, the best deals are available when you sign up for either six or 12 months. For three months on the unlimited plan as a new customer, you'll pay $90 and enjoy unlimited talk, text, and data, 10GB of mobile hotspot, and free calls to Mexico and Canada. Calling to other international locations is available at a per-minute rate but if you use an app (e.g., WhatsApp, Line) to call your friends, you'll only need data.

Joining Mint Mobile is easy, and you can even sign up for a trial online to get a free Mint Mobile SIM card . It's even simpler if your phone is compatible with an eSIM as you can then activate the eSIM straight from your phone, and then later continue the service if you like it. You can also purchase a Mint Mobile SIM card from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Amazon.

Note: As part of a limited-time promotion, you can get any one of Mint Mobile's plans at a reduced price of $15 per month, provided you buy three months of service in advance.

2. Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) using T-Mobile's network, meaning that you'll get great T-Mobile coverage at a lower price. Our Ultra Mobile review showed strong coverage and speeds. Although the carrier offers its own set of prepaid plans, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is a perfect fit for anyone visiting the U.S. for a month or less. That said, if you avail the service for a longer duration, you can get some good discounts.

With the 3GB plan, you get a more regular SIM and after 30 days, the plan's validity will end, which makes it great for users who just want simple talk and text to a wide range of destinations and don't need a lot of data during their travels. For a monthly cost of $19 (before taxes and fees) with the SIM kit included, you'll get unlimited talk and text to more than 90 countries worldwide, plus free Wi-Fi calling and up to 3GB of 5G/4G LTE data, so you should have no issue staying connected with friends and family back home. The plan also comes with $1.50 of international calling credit per month and a one-time $5 international roaming credit.

3. Lycamobile

Lycamobile is unique because it's a global MVNO, and in the U.S., it's an MVNO using T-Mobile's network. To check whether your phone is compatible, the easiest thing to do is type in your IMEI number on Lycamobile's website, but most of the unlocked GSM devices should work without any issues.

Lycamobile offers several plans to pick from and primarily caters to those who need unlimited nationwide talk and text, as well as international calling and texting to over 100 countries. Each plan includes these features at no additional charge, making this the perfect plan if you want to be able to call abroad whenever you want.

When it comes to data, you have multiple options starting at just 500MB and going up to 60GB. The cheapest 500MB plan costs $15 per month, while the unlimited plan with 60GB of data can be availed at an effective price of $39 per month if you pay for three months. Each plan includes slightly different bonus features, so you'll have to pick what makes the most sense for you.

Fortunately, Lycamobile SIM cards are pretty easy to get a hold of. They're sold online on Lycamobile's website and Amazon, but you can also find Lycamobile's SIM cards at several retailers like 7-Eleven, pharmacies, and local convenience stores. If you have any doubts, you can also use the online store locator to find the nearest retailer near you.

4. AT&T Prepaid

Known for its amazing coverage, AT&T is also an excellent carrier to consider getting a SIM card from when visiting the U.S. and as such, it offers one of the best prepaid phone plans . It tends to have better coverage in rural areas than other carriers, so it's also a great option if you plan to be on the road a lot. For $30 a month (taxes and fees extra), AT&T Prepaid will get you 5GB of high-speed data, which is then throttled to 128Kbps after you've utilized the data allotment. As always, you should check your device's compatibility with AT&T online before signing up for the plan.

On this plan, you're able to use your mobile hotspot, and you can text to more than 230 countries around the world. And if you think you'll need more than 5GB of data, you can always upgrade to the 15GB prepaid plan for just $40 a month, which also includes data usage in/between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Also, both of these plans offer rollover data, which means any unused data gets added to the next month's data allotment.

5. T-Mobile Prepaid

T-Mobile not only offers some of the best cell phone plans you could get today, but it also has an excellent prepaid service that will suit the needs of most travelers and tourists when they're visiting the United States. As T-Mobile's network has improved vastly over the past few years and its 5G network has some of the most expansive coverage and fastest speeds in the nation, you'll likely get excellent service with T-Mobile when traveling to major cities during your stay in the country.

There are four T-Mobile prepaid plans to pick from, but the most ideal plan for most visitors will be T-Mobile's 10GB prepaid plan that costs $40 per month, before taxes and fees. It includes unlimited domestic talk and text, up to 10GB of high-speed data, free mobile hotspot data, and a nifty 'Music Unlimited' feature which means that any music you stream won't eat up your data. If you want to add international calling, it can be done for an extra $15 per month, or if you're traveling to Mexico or Canada for a few days, you can add talk, text, and 5GB of data to use over there for an extra $5 per month.

6. Cricket Wireless

If you don't think you'll need minutes during your stay in the United States and really just want data, you could consider a data-only plan from Cricket Wireless , which is an MVNO that uses (and is owned by) AT&T. For $35, you'll be getting 20GB of data to use for a full month, while spending $55 will give you 100GB of data for a month.

Again, this plan doesn't come with any talk time minutes, so you'll have to make sure you're fine using messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype to connect with family or friends back home. It does include text and picture messages across the U.S., as well as usage in Mexico and Canada if you plan on visiting those countries. It's the ideal plan for anyone who'll be spending a lot of time on the road and wants to be able to stream, download, and do some high-speed browsing.

You can get a Cricket Wireless SIM card by just walking into a Cricket Wireless retailer store, which you can locate with the carrier's online store locator tool. Other popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart also sell Universal SIM card activation kits for Cricket Wireless. The good news is that if you do end up wanting minutes, you can always switch to another one of the carrier's plans using the same SIM card.

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Which prepaid SIM card is best for you?

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You really can't go wrong with a prepaid SIM card using the network infrastructure of either AT&T or T-Mobile when visiting the U.S., and the right fit for you will depend on the length of your stay and whether you'll be needing features like being able to call back home. If you're traveling for only three weeks or less, Ultra Mobile's 3GB plan is the best choice and offers just enough talk, text, and data to stay connected.

On the other hand, if you'll be in the U.S. for a few months, Mint Mobile will give you the best multiple-month value. And if you're somewhere in between, a prepaid plan from either T-Mobile or AT&T will be easy, reliable, and guaranteed to give you great coverage.

Should you use your current carrier's add-ons?

Many carriers have partnerships with international carriers to offer better service to their own customers whenever they're traveling. Luckily, this arrangement goes both ways, so there may be a plan add-on that can give you plenty of data without needing to set up and activate a new SIM. While these travel add-ons can be quite pricey, the simplicity of this option will make it worth it to many users. It also gives you the chance to have a connection when you're waiting for a connecting flight in another country.

What about eSIM apps?

Another emerging option is eSIM apps. These apps can use your phone's built-in eSIM functionality to quickly activate and pay for a phone plan without needing to have the old SIM removed or waiting for a physical SIM to get delivered. Airalo , for example, allows customers to buy as little as 1GB for a week. If you just need enough data to get around in a new city, this is a good option. It works with Google Pay, credit cards, PayPal, and even Alipay.

If you have an iPhone, there's even an official T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app that accepts credit card payments from a number of countries. Regrettably, this app isn't available on Android, though there are still other eSIM providers on the platform.

Just be sure to confirm compatibility before taking off. Still, there are other apps available on Android that offer solid deals on data without contacts or physical SIMs necessary.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost Mobile | Tello | Cricket Wireless

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Travel SIM Cards

International SIM cards and eSIMs for all your mobile needs abroad

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Travelex partners with SimsDirect (by Simify) for all your international SIM card needs

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Value for Money Generous data amounts on the best networks

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SimsDirect (by Simify) FAQ

All simify plans of $30 or more have international calls and text included.

1. Order your travel SIM online by clicking on the "BUY" buttons above to select your plan 2a. e-SIM: download e-SIM from the link in the email you will receive 2b. Sim card: wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail and then take it on your flight 3. Land and choose e-SIM or just insert the physical sim card into your device and activate it. You're all set!

Option 1 - Australia Post Standard Service. Delivered in 4-7 business days and is completely free with tracking included.

Option 2 - Australia Post Express Service. Delivered in 1-2 business days and is $7.99 with tracking included.

See full details here .

Check that your phone is compatible with eSIMs here .

Step 1 - Land in New Zealand

Step 2 - Insert SIM card

Step 3 - Dial 200

Step 4- Restart your device

You should connect within 5 minutes and you are all set. Happy travels!

If you want to call or text home: Simply dial: Country Code -> Area Code -> Mobile Number For example: If you wish to dial 0431166871 You would enter +61431166871

For NZ calls & texts: Simply enter the local number and you are all set.

This SIM can be easily recharged via the 2degrees mobile app. Instructions are included on the SIM packaging.

Your new mobile number is printed on the back of the SIM packaging so you can give it to friends and family before you leave.

Countries included in the Europe & UK plan

• Aland Islands
• Balearic Islands
• Canary Islands
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Northern Ireland
• Switzerland
• The Czech Republic
• Vatican City

Countries included in SOUTH AMERICA

• El Salvador
• French Guiana
• French West Indies
• Puerto Rico

Most common questions

Your new New Zealand mobile number is printed on the back of the SIM packaging so you can give it to friends and family before you leave.

Countries included in the Europe & UK plan: EUROPE

Simify terms & conditions.

Click here to view SimsDirect (by Simify©) Terms and Conditions.

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Best-Rated Travel SIMs & Roaming Packs

Compare Mobile Plans

Compare Phone on a plan, SIM only Pre or Post-Paid Mobile Plans.

See Our Ratings Methodology .

Most Satisfied Customers | SIM Corner

SIM Corner made it back-to-back wins for Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings for travel phone plans, scoring five stars across most categories including overall satisfaction, value for money and network coverage, while it scored three stars for ease of recharge and for its app or website.

How we rate Travel phone plan providers

Our travel phone plan provider ratings are based on customer satisfaction across multiple purchase factors. It’s like asking a bunch of your friends what they think of their travel phone service, but all in one place!

How many Australians do we survey for our ratings?

Canstar Blue surveyed 1,522 Australians for their feedback on travel phone plan providers they’ve been used. Respondents had to have used a SIM card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the past three years, not including SIM cards for use in Australia or purchased overseas.

• The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics .

What criteria are used to rate travel phone plan providers?

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their travel phone plan provider from zero to 10 , with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Travel mobile plan provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:

• Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a travel phone plan provider as an individual score, NOT the combined total of all criteria.
• Value for money: the price paid for the travel or roaming pack was reasonable for the inclusions.
• Network coverage: there was good mobile network coverage and reception in the country/countries travelled in.
• Sign-up and activation: the plan was easy to sign up to and activate.
• Ease of recharge: it was easy to recharge the travel phone plan when needed.
• Customer service: the provider was easy to get in touch with and offered good customer support.
• App or website: the provider offered an app or website that was easy to understand and use.

How do we determine the winner?

The winning brand is the brand that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating after scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.

• The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and therefore win the award. If a clear leading brand still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Which travel phone plan providers do we rate?

To qualify in the ratings results, providers must have received a minimum of 30 responses to be included . Therefore, not all travel phone plan providers are in this survey. Providers rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

• Everyday Mobile

Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings .

Prepaid offers you might like

The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.

Best travel phone plan providers in Australia

1. sim corner, ratings result.

SIM Corner took out top spot for the second year in a row, scoring five stars across most categories including overall satisfaction value for money, network coverage, sign up and activation and customer service, while it scored three stars for ease of recharge and its app or website.

Editor’s notes

SIM Corner is an Australian-owned and operated provider offering a range of prepaid travel SIM packs. Most plans require the purchase of a physical SIM card that’s shipped to you, however eSIM packs are also available. Travel packs include destinations in Europe, the US, Asia, the UK, South America, New Zealand and more, with different inclusions and expiry dates available.

2. Vodafone

Vodafone took out second place in our ratings for travel phone plans, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, network coverage, sign up and activation, customer service and app or website, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge and three stars for value for money.

Vodafone’s $5-per-day roaming has been a stand out offer for several years now. Rather than offering a roaming SIM or add-on packs, Vodafone customers on eligible plans can pay $5 per day of roaming to access their phone plan’s inclusions while overseas. While access to some inclusions (such as unlimited capped-speed data) are excluded, it offers a convenient way to access your phone plan when travelling.

3. WorldSIM

WorldSIM came in third place, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and sign up and activation, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge, customer service and app or website and three stars for network coverage.

WorldSIM is a UK-based travel plan provider, offering a range of options to suit your travel plan needs, including data-only plans. While you can choose to get a physical SIM card shipped to you, you can opt to go eSIM for quicker access.

Telstra took out fourth place in our ratings with a score of four stars in most categories including overall satisfaction, network coverage and customer service, while it scored three stars for value for money.

Telstra offers its travel plans in the form of international roaming add-ons for existing Telstra customers. This means you’re able to keep your Telstra SIM in your phone (and still have access to your Australian phone number) and add on a Day Pass. Inclusions, prices and eligible destinations vary between the plans.

Optus came in fifth place, scoring three stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, network coverage and sign up and activation, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge and four stars for customer service and app or website.

Optus offers a $5-per-day roaming add-on to eligible customers. Unlike Vodafone’s offering that allows access to existing domestic inclusions, Optus’ version comes with its own set of inclusions, which can be used in more than 100 destinations.

GoSIM dropped down from second in our 2023 ratings to sixth place in our 2024 ratings, scoring three stars in all categories, including overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of recharge.

GoSIM offers a range of physical international SIM cards, including Europe, Asia and USA-specific packs, plus standard international SIM card and data-only SIM packs. You can also top up your plan if you need more data, call and SMS inclusions.

5. Everyday Mobile

Rounding out our ratings was Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile), scoring three stars in most categories, including overall satisfaction, while it scored four stars for customer service and app or website.

Like Telstra and Vodafone, Everyday Mobile offers international roaming as an add-on to an existing phone plan. There are several roaming add-ons to choose from, with varying prices, inclusions and expiry periods, however it’s only available to use in select countries.

Other travel phone plan providers

Whether you’re looking for an international roaming add-on, or you want a separate SIM with a specific travel plan, there are plenty of providers offering a range of travel phone plans. While not all providers (or telcos offering international roaming on plans) are covered in our ratings, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a good-value travel plan to suit your needs. Some other travel phone plan providers include:

• Cover-More Global SIM
• Tripsim (by Sydney Airport)

Phone plans with roaming features

• Postpaid plans
• Prepaid plans

To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

Compare more products featured in our Most Satisfied Customers Awards

• Prepaid SIM-only providers
• Postpaid SIM-only providers
• Phone on a plan providers
• Smartphones

How to choose a good travel phone plan

Having access to our mobile phones and phone service overseas is an essential for many of us. It’s vital for keeping in touch with friends and family back home, sharing our journey on social media, using maps and browsing great places to visit.

Of the Australians we surveyed in 2024, 37% used their travel SIM more for data than calls and texts and 36% chose a travel SIM because roaming on their regular plan was too expensive. Although 39% said that they’d recommend their travel SIM to friends and family or other travellers, there are a few things to consider when choosing a travel phone plan.

First up, you’ll need to decide what type of travel plan you’ll need. 53% of our survey respondents choose to buy a prepaid SIM for their travels, while 39% added a roaming package to their usual phone plan.

If you’re a light data user, or if you’re with a telco that offers a good international roaming plan, you might prefer to just switch roaming on and use your plan’s included roaming rates. But if you’re looking to do a lot of photo sharing on social media, you might be better suited to a travel-specific plan with lots of data.

If you prefer to go with a travel-specific phone plan instead of roaming, there are plenty available to pre-purchase so you don’t need to find a SIM card when you reach your destination. Some of these might include calls, texts and data allowance, while some might be data-only. If you choose a data-only plan, you may need to set up a messaging app that uses mobile data, such as Messenger or WhatsApp, so you can still make calls and send messages.

SIM card or eSIM?

Some plans might also be available with an eSIM. The advantage to using eSIM is that there’s no need to switch out your Australian SIM for a physical SIM card, so you’ll be able to get text messages to your Aussie number while travelling — very important for receiving verification codes from your bank and other services. You can also set up your eSIM before you hop on your flight. Keep in mind that eSIM is not available with every phone, so you’ll need to check if your mobile phone offers eSIM compatibility . Some phones might have dual-SIM capability so you’ll be able to have your Aussie SIM and a physical travel SIM in your phone at the same time.

Destinations available

The most popular travel destinations in Europe, Asia, Oceania and North and South America are covered by many travel phone plans, but it’s important to check a plan’s included destinations before signing up. Likewise, if you’re travelling to multiple destinations, you may prefer to find a travel phone plan that will cover all of those places.

Inclusions, cost and plan length

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you’ll need to consider how long the travel plan is active. Some plans might have limited expiry periods, so you might need to recharge your plan when still travelling. If that’s the case, make sure you know how to recharge, have any required  app installed and your payment details already connected to the account (if possible).

Also consider what inclusions you need, such as how much data you’ll likely use each day, and how much the plan will cost. Travel phone plans are often expensive and data inclusions can be small so it’s a good idea to make use of secure WiFi networks when available. It’s also a good idea to download all your favourite movies, shows, music, podcasts and audiobooks before you travel so you’re not draining your data by streaming.

What are the best mobile phone plans for roaming?

All the big carriers offer roaming, and overseas-specific call rates. It’s worth keeping an eye out for Optus, Telstra and Vodafone, but smaller prepaid and postpaid providers also offer add-ons.

Roaming is generally the most convenient option, as your provider basically does all the legwork and you can keep using your number. There are several ways to go about it. Simply taking your existing phone plan overseas can easily see you rack up big bills if you use your phone in the same way that you would at home – you’ve no doubt heard the horror stories about Aussies returning home to phone bills in the thousands.

Beyond PAYG roaming, there are a few options to consider when taking your mobile phone overseas:

• Roaming packs
• A travel/global SIM card
• A phone plan

Generally, this list can be considered in order from the most convenient to least convenient. Consequently, convenience can also mean extra costs. One thing is for sure – these options all beat using dodgy free WiFi in a cafe that is both slow and a security risk.

Roaming Packs

You can purchase roaming packs from the major providers ahead of time. However, smaller carriers may charge differently, so it pays to check with your own provider first.

Travel and Global SIM Cards

These exist in  prepaid  form, which makes them easy to insert into your unlocked phone and only pay for what you need! There are several private operators that provide travel SIM cards:

Phone plan from the country you’re visiting

It’s hard enough having to wrap your head around the huge range of providers in Australia alone, but going overseas can make your head spin with all the phone plans on offer when you’re travelling. Factor in language barriers, and it can be quite daunting trying to decipher what the SIM pack is saying in a language you don’t understand. Buying a native prepaid phone plan in the country you’re visiting can require some footwork, but the work can pay off as you’ll often be able to get more value for your money.

Prepaid plans are the way to go, as with  postpaid  plans you’ll most likely need to supply an address, ID check and a local credit card. With prepaid, you can recharge with minimal fuss and enjoy straight away.

New Zealand

This is an easy one. Simply compare prepaid phone providers using our sister site – Canstar Blue NZ . New Zealand has markedly less providers than Australia, but you will be afforded similar value.

There are four massive mobile networks in the United States: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and US Cellular. Verizon is the largest in terms of subscriber base, but all offer strong plans. Just like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone do in Australia, all four operate physical stores across the country.

• Keep in mind that 7/11 stores also stock a range of prepaid plans that may prove to be pretty solid value.
• Keep up with the US lingo: ‘wireless’ and ‘cellular’ are synonymous with ‘mobile’.

As you’d expect, these five providers are a little more expensive than the USA’s raft of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, but some US MVNOs are pretty obscure and you’ll really need to do your homework here, as they often aren’t found in-store.

One thing to be aware of: US networks Verizon and US Cellular both operate on CDMA technology, which means your Australian smartphone may not be compatible with their service. If you’re planning to stick a US SIM card in your device, you may need to check with your intended carrier first to ensure you’ll be able to access talk, text and data.

Like the USA, there are five network operators in Canada: Rogers, Telus, BCE and Shaw. Much of what you can get on a mobile phone plan in Canada is province dependent; one network might operate only in Alberta, but not in British Columbia for example.

Going with any of the bigger telcos will be a safe bet though, with an expansive network of stores across most provinces. You can expect plans with 1GB of data and unlimited talk and text for no less than CAD $40 with the big providers. Anything over 10GB could easily cost over CAD $100 — Canada is considered to have some of the most expensive phone plans around.

Prepaid plans are generally much dearer than what’s available in Australia, but there are some cheaper MVNOs available in various department stores, and prepaid SIM cards are often available in convenience stores as well.

UK & Europe

There are four network operators in Great Britain – EE, O2, Vodafone and 3. There is also a huge array of MVNOs. While undoubtedly these MVNOs may provide solid value, the ‘Big 4’ provide reliability and convenience.

Most of the providers offer pretty solid value, and you can expect upwards of 10GB of data with 1000 minutes and 1000 texts for £20 a month or thereabouts. But keep in mind that the AUD to GBP exchange rate could make it sound cheaper than it is!

It should be noted that most UK plans also operate in most continental European countries as normal with no roaming charges. Though not all your data allowance may be used overseas; for example, you may only find you can use 8GB out of a 10GB phone plan. Nevertheless, it’s still a very handy inclusion.

Being that many flights from Australia to Europe land in the UK, it’s very easy to pick up a UK prepaid SIM and continue on to continental Europe. Each of the four carriers have a range of store locations spanning most of the UK and you’ll likely be able to pop into one and walk out with a prepaid plan any time.

Prepaid plans in other countries

As for other countries, it starts to get a little trickier. The safest bet is selecting a roaming option, but if you’re willing to do the homework and legwork yourself, then you should be able to nab a very cost-effective deal. Sticking to major providers is also a safe bet in terms of reliability and convenience. MVNOs – while often providing more value for your money – can be hard to find without retail stores and you’ll might need to order online first, which can extend the time you spend waiting for mobile phone coverage instead of enjoying your holiday.

About our telco experts

Emma bradstock: senior telco specialist.

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for over five years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

About this research.

Canstar Blue surveyed over 12,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have used a SIM Card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the last 2 years (not including for use in Australia or SIM cards purchased overseas)– in this case, 1,522 people.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.

Past ratings

Here are past winners of Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Travel phone plan ratings:

• 2023: SIM Corner
• 2022: Vodafone
• 2021: Telstra
• 2019: SIM Corner

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**Max. Data/Billing Period

The amount of data the provider has advertised for the billing period of their plan.

Billing periods usually range from 28 to 31 days, but can vary - contact the provider for the billing period costs and inclusions.

Actual product inclusions can be found on the provider’s website.

^^Advertised Cost/Billing Period

The advertised cost the provider has advertised for the billing period of the plan.

• The search results do not include all providers or products, and may not compare all features relevant to you.
• Advertised data (per billing, and monthly cost as shown in the table may not be the same as the amounts per billing period). Contact Provider for the billing period costs and inclusions.
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Discover Asia's Wonders This Fall - Up to 60% Off!

Affordable and high-speed eSIM data in China, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, SEA-Oceania and CN-JP-KR

Explore Nomad Day Plans! 

Get 1 GB high-speed data per day or more, for plans starting from 1 Day to 10 Days. Continue surfing at 512kbps after your daily quota, starting from just $1.10/day!

Download the Nomad App!

Nomad - available on iOS and Android

Limited Time Offer

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How Nomad Travel eSIM Works

Buy a plan for your desired region / country

Nomad offers various data plans in over 170+ countries. Find a plan based on where you need data, how much data you need, and how long you need it for.

Install the eSIM on your phone

Quick one-tap installation or simply by scanning a QR code.

Get connected when you arrive at your destination

Turn on your eSIM when you arrive at your destination, and enjoy connectivity at 4G/5G speeds.

Running out of data? Get an add-on.

Purchase an add-on and seamlessly stay connected using the same eSIM.

Find out more

Forget about roaming. Get a Nomad eSIM and enjoy your trips

Save up to 50% on roaming

One-tap Install / Scan QR code - install in 5 minutes

Fast and Reliable Network - 4G/5G in nearly 200 countries

Keep your home number for calls and texts

24/7 Customer Support - on live chat and email

Share your data across multiple devices

Nomad eSIM FAQ

What is eSIM?

How to install eSIM?

Is my device compatible?

Do I need to remove my primary SIM card to use Nomad's eSIM?

What if I run out of data?

Does the eSIM support hotspot?

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Hear from Nomad Users

Excellent 4.5/ 5.0

Christian Fisher

I use Nomad eSIM every time I travel…

I use Nomad eSIM every time I travel (USA, UK & Panama so far), it is very easy to setup, the service is dependable and consistent. Very Pleased

2 hours ago

Super handig en niet duur

Super handig en niet duur. 10 GB voor 3 weken op Bali voor 21 euro. Echt heel handig en fijn!

Sansbonsang

Aug 24, 2024

Saved a lot using this app and eSIM data package while traveling abroad

My local mobile provider charges 16$CA per day whenever I use cellular or mobile (voice or text message) data, even for one second, in any given travel day. Nomad offers multi-country eSIM data packages for various durations and data content. It turns out to be way more flexible and affordable than using my local provider.

Aug 27, 2024

Absolutely fantastic.

Worked well for a great price and was reliable. I got the ~$ 20 dollar plan that gave me 10 gigabytes for the month (I was in the US for a week.) It was quick and easy to get set up and going, and with that I was able to keep in contact with family and friends easily - and not be bored out of my mind.

Aug 20, 2024

The best ESIM App

One of the best Esims apps out there I have traveled to 30+ countries and all of them have worked great with the Nomad ESIM app. I definitely recommend 10/10 customer service and support. And very easy to use! Thank you.

Tijana Apostolovic

Works great, easy to install & use.

Works great, easy to install & use. Used esim package for Italily-France-Germany, used it on Corsica & Dolomites, works well. Purchased additional topup, no problem at all.

Download Nomad App for the best experience and to track your usage, anytime & anywhere! 🤩

Gaming Legends

I Built a House that Gives People Cancer - The Sims 4

Posted: September 22, 2024 | Last updated: September 22, 2024

I Built a House that Gives People Cancer - The Sims 4Subscribe if you like! + <a href="http://bit.ly/1PG8z9GWatch">http://bit.ly/1PG8z9GWatch</a> More Strange Simulator Games Here! + <a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=n4CisUucR68&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dZZE5yZ8wbks2F674kl5iHMelanoma">https://youtube.com/watch?v=n4CisUucR68&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dZZE5yZ8wbks2F674kl5iHMelanoma</a> for everyone.For the original house, look for "Outdoor Home" by HeatherG85Follow me on Twitter! + <a href="https://twitter.com/GrayStillPlaysLike">https://twitter.com/GrayStillPlaysLike</a> me on Facebook! + <a href="https://www.facebook.com/graystillplays/The">https://www.facebook.com/graystillplays/The</a> Sims 4 on the EA site! + <a href="https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/pc/store/mac-pc-download-base-game-standard-edition----------------------------------Watch">https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/pc/store/mac-pc-download-base-game-standard-edition----------------------------------Watch</a> More From GrayStillPlays:The Best VR Games: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHtqaUilsU&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fqRS8Og9EgEQPlIMtCDCFwThe">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHtqaUilsU&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fqRS8Og9EgEQPlIMtCDCFwThe</a> Strangest Random Games: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHtqaUilsU&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dZZE5yZ8wbks2F674kl5iHThe">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHtqaUilsU&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dZZE5yZ8wbks2F674kl5iHThe</a> Long Dark Story Mode: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8xXEJ0p21cRpG2ekPnXgCBd5mwB2bFuRavenfield:">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8xXEJ0p21cRpG2ekPnXgCBd5mwB2bFuRavenfield:</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qm-oPk13F0&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21f33Ch39OBlmbON7HRIXqzuTotal">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qm-oPk13F0&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21f33Ch39OBlmbON7HRIXqzuTotal</a> Tank Simulator: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrb7ktzaRTc&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21ff_ky6fggbPQo_hlsuxczqMy">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrb7ktzaRTc&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21ff_ky6fggbPQo_hlsuxczqMy</a> Summer Car: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75N96As-2Kg&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fSpKwt_HOlpsLVSnykDpa2My">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75N96As-2Kg&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fSpKwt_HOlpsLVSnykDpa2My</a> Little Blacksmith Shop: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GQEOwtOQCM&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21e93cljO92di6wdJapOJ8DVBeamNG">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GQEOwtOQCM&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21e93cljO92di6wdJapOJ8DVBeamNG</a> Drive: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9NIiTgcV4&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21cYOq_6dHYfRsBukbTlOAzyBrick">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9NIiTgcV4&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21cYOq_6dHYfRsBukbTlOAzyBrick</a> Rigs: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMjJLWWtpTg&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21eouNgeRox6tSwWvc1utwF7Raft:">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMjJLWWtpTg&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21eouNgeRox6tSwWvc1utwF7Raft:</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ku9IyFNB-s&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fIDAAlug4WKQQyRnPZWWT6Ultimate">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ku9IyFNB-s&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21fIDAAlug4WKQQyRnPZWWT6Ultimate</a> Epic Battle Simulator: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I_3dq60d_A&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dHe6ValEsWiRogVVtqXMg3----------------------------------ABOUT:">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I_3dq60d_A&list=PLw8xXEJ0p21dHe6ValEsWiRogVVtqXMg3----------------------------------ABOUT:</a> The Sims 4Enjoy the power to create and control people in a virtual world where there are no rules.Download The Sims 4 to begin expressing your creativity as you customize your Sims’ distinct appearances and unique personalities. Choose their fashions, select their hairstyles, and give them life aspirations. Effortlessly build your Sims the perfect homes with the all-new room-based Build Mode, choosing your favorite designs and décor. Develop your Sims’ relationships, pursue new careers, and shape the rich and entertaining moments of their lives. Explore beautiful worlds with unique environments and travel to neighborhoods where you can visit venues and meet other interesting Sims. Be powerful and free, have fun. In The Sims 4, you can:• Create unique Sims• Build the perfect home• Explore vibrant worlds• Add new experiences• Play with life!

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