Holidays, Weekends: What Are the Benefits of eSIMs for Tourists?

Whether it's for GPS navigation, booking hotels and restaurants, or using transportation apps, having internet access while traveling has become essential. Fortunately, there are now several solutions to use your smartphone abroad just like at home—without blowing up your mobile bill. But not all options offer the same benefits! Discover why the eSIM is the best choice for your next trip, whether it's a real vacation or just a short city break abroad.

What Are the Options for Using Your Smartphone While Traveling?

To meet our connectivity needs, mobile and internet providers have expanded their international offers significantly. Here are the available options for your next trip.

Having an International Mobile Plan

Your current mobile plan may already allow you to use your smartphone abroad at no extra cost. Some plans include additional destinations with limited communications, which might be enough for a short stay abroad. Be sure to check your plan's conditions before exploring other options for your next holiday!

However, international mobile plans are generally expensive and often come with long-term commitments. If you have a budget mobile plan from an MVNO, it likely doesn’t include additional destinations.

Good to know:

If you're a resident of an EU country, you can benefit from data roaming at no extra cost in all member states. This allows you to use your regular mobile plan without additional charges, as long as your stay doesn’t exceed one or two months.

Adding an International Option to Your Plan

Some providers offer special options to use your smartphone abroad. These typically last one month and can be renewed depending on your needs and the length of your trip. The downside is that not all operators offer them. Also, they are quite limited and can get expensive if you need to renew them multiple times.

Buying a Local SIM Card

In most countries, you can simply go to a local store and purchase a prepaid SIM card valid in the country you’re visiting. This allows you to have a standard mobile plan during your stay… but you’ll have to stop using your regular number! Unless you have a dual SIM phone or your usual plan is linked to an eSIM, you’ll need to remove your existing SIM card to use the new one. This means you won’t be reachable on your regular number for the duration of your trip.

Pocket WiFi and Public WiFi Networks

You can connect to WiFi networks in train stations, airports, and hotels during your trip. This can help you check emails or social media, though using GPS will be harder! Another WiFi-based solution is to buy or rent a pocket WiFi device—a small box with a SIM card that converts mobile data (4G or 5G) into a WiFi network. However, these devices are bulky and need regular recharging.

Buying an International eSIM

International eSIM plans allow you, as long as your phone is compatible, to install a travel-dedicated eSIM on your device. These are data-only plans that let you stay reachable on your regular number while enjoying a reliable and secure internet connection. You avoid the risks of hacking on unsecured public WiFi or being left without signal due to a dead pocket WiFi. That’s just one of the many reasons why eSIMs are the most convenient solution for traveling abroad!

Why Is eSIM the Most Advantageous Option for Tourists?

Leveraging eSIM technology, which digitizes SIM cards, travel eSIM plans offer the possibility of subscribing to a data plan usable from any country. Let’s take a closer look at the many benefits.

Instant Activation

One of the key advantages of eSIMs, whether international or not, is that they allow you to subscribe and activate your mobile plan instantly. Just choose your eSIM plan, confirm your order, then scan a QR code sent by email to activate it! You can buy your travel eSIM the day before or on the day of departure to ensure you’re connected as soon as you land. No need to waste time hunting for WiFi or local eSIM stores—you can start enjoying your trip immediately.

Flexible Plans Based on Your Trip Duration

Travel eSIM plans come in various durations, usually ranging from 1 to 30 days. Some providers offer daily plans, while others provide packages of 1, 7, 10, 15, or 30 days. This lets you choose the plan that matches your trip length. Often, the validity period includes a proportional data allowance designed to let you use your smartphone without limits. Some providers let you choose the data amount, but you may end up paying for more than you need.

Good to know:

A few providers also offer annual plans, ideal for students on exchange programs or professionals on long-term assignments.

Combine SIM and Multiple eSIM Profiles

eSIM technology lets you download up to 5 eSIM profiles and use them alongside a physical SIM card, provided you only use two numbers at once. This means you can remain reachable on your regular number during your trip and install multiple eSIMs if you're visiting several countries. Just remember to switch networks in your phone settings as you cross borders.

Why Choose UPeSIM eSIMs for Your Next Trip?

Many specialized providers offer international eSIMs. To choose the best travel eSIM, you should consider the plan duration, price/data ratio, and the quality of customer service. Of course, the destination you need must also be supported. The good news? UPeSIM meets all of these criteria.

A Catalog of Over 200 Destinations

UPeSIM offers a catalog of over 200 international destinations, with country-specific and regional plans. You can choose one or more eSIMs based on the countries you’re visiting or go for a multi-country plan if you're traveling across a continent. Thanks to our partnerships with global operators, you can stay connected on your smartphone while saving on roaming fees.

Multiple Validity Durations

Most of our eSIM plans come in three validity options: 7, 10, and 30 days, whether for country-specific or regional packages. We selected these three options because they match the typical length of most holidays and let you pay only for what you need. For intermediate trips, we recommend choosing the longer plan to avoid renewing your eSIM mid-trip—it’s the most convenient and cost-effective choice. And if you extend your trip, no worries: all our plans can be topped up in one click on our website or mobile app.

High-Quality Network

For our eSIM plans, we didn’t just negotiate the best rates—we also selected the best operators in each country! Our travel eSIMs give you access to the local network of our partner carriers, just like a local subscriber, with the same coverage and network quality.

Top-Rated Customer Support

Even though installing and using an eSIM is very easy, it’s always nice to get support. That’s why our customer service is available 24/7 to help with any issue! You can contact us through a simple form on our website or mobile app and receive a reply within 15 minutes. No surprise UPeSIM receives the best customer reviews among travel eSIM providers. We proudly maintain an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on app stores—guaranteeing you peace of mind and solid connectivity for your next vacation!