If you love to travel and want to stay reachable (and be able to reach others) but you’re confused by eSIMs and don’t know where to start, this post is for you. I’m going to walk you through what an eSIM card is, why it’s worth using on your next trip, and how to actually set one up.
I used to buy local SIM cards on every trip, like when I was in Bolivia a few years ago. But I’d waste time on the ground trying to find a shop, figure out which carrier made sense, and understand the contract I was signing. Now I sort all of that out ahead of time, from the comfort of my apartment, before I even leave.
Before I go any further, don’t forget to find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.
Why does internet access on vacation actually matter?
You might be thinking: I’m on vacation, I don’t need to reach anyone, there’s no rush to post my photos online. But having internet access goes beyond social media and sharing your trip with your aunt back home. A working phone means you can call a cab, book a hotel, contact a restaurant, or reach emergency services if you need to. It’s a simple way to reduce some of the risks that come with exploring a place you don’t know well yet. A travel eSIM just makes life easier, full stop.
So, what is an eSIM?
An eSIM is the digital version of the small plastic chip you’re used to inserting into your phone. There’s no physical piece to handle. The eSIM is a digital profile already built into your device. You activate it by scanning a QR code after buying an eSIM plan from a provider.
In practical terms, that means you can get a new carrier or a new plan anywhere in the world (as long as your phone supports the technology) without ever touching a physical piece of hardware.
It’s been a fairly common feature on phones since 2020, but it’s worth double checking your settings to confirm your device supports it.
Why choose an eSIM
If I had to give you just one reason to try eSIMs, it would be simplicity. You get to compare plans that actually make sense for your needs, from the comfort of your own home, in your own language, while reading real reviews online.
Not convinced yet? Here’s reason number two: the time you save. You can start using it the moment you land (well, once the flight crew gives the go-ahead, no need to rush). No wasting time hunting for the best local carrier, or comparing whether local plans beat the “tourist” packages airport kiosks try to sell you. During a trip to Greece, we were genuinely shocked by the gap between tourist pricing and the local monthly plan. An eSIM lets you skip all of that and land with peace of mind.
There’s also the flexibility of the plan itself. If you need to top up, you can do it easily without going anywhere. Less admin, more vacation.
And you only deal with one service across all your trips, one provider you already know and trust with your personal information. A service that saves you time on your next trip, too, and spares you those confusing texts in a language you don’t understand.
My own eSIM story
Still not convinced? Let me tell you about the time I took out my Canadian SIM card to put in my French one for the holidays, and then lost my Canadian SIM card. I’d done this swap for years without issue, until two years ago, coming home from our annual trip to France. Sitting on the plane as the captain welcomed us back home (that announcement still gives me chills every time), I searched everywhere for my SIM card… nowhere to be found. I had to go to a store to get a new one, and that’s when the staff suggested I switch to an eSIM instead. So yes, for my everyday SIM at home, I’m on an eSIM now too. Trust me, it’s a lot less hassle.
A few months ago, when we went to Mexico, we used an eSIM. It made arriving so much easier that I promised myself I’d share it with you.
How does it actually work?
All of this sounds great, but how does it really work in practice?
Before you leave:
- At home: choose the eSIM plan that fits your needs on a site like Holafly. That’s who we used for our Mexico trip, mostly because their “always-on” unlimited data feature meant we never had to worry about tracking our usage or running out of internet while navigating the streets. The service was excellent.
- After you order: you’ll receive a QR code by email within a few minutes of purchase.
- Installation: in your phone’s settings, look for “add an eSIM.” If you’re not sure where to find it, just search “eSIM” in your settings search bar and you’ll be taken there automatically. Fill in the requested details.
- Activation: sometimes this takes a few minutes, sometimes it’s instant. Check the details provided by your carrier. If you picked specific travel dates, your eSIM might be installed but not yet active. Pro tip: rename it with your destination so it’s easy to identify later.
During your trips:
- On the ground: sometimes your phone switches over automatically, sometimes it doesn’t. You can go into your cellular settings and choose which line is your primary line for data. This is exactly why renaming your eSIMs matters, especially if you travel often. You can also turn off your home line to avoid being charged back home. iPhone users can still receive iMessages either way.
- At the end of your trip: your plan simply expires on the date you set. There’s nothing else to do, though you can deactivate it manually from your active plans if you’d rather. Otherwise, you’re all set to head home and start planning your next destination.
Now you know everything there is to know about travel eSIMs, so you can prep for your next trip properly. Go explore the world with peace of mind and focus on the scenery instead of your phone plan. If this post was helpful, you might also enjoy my 5 essentials for light, stress-free travel.
