If you’re a frequent international traveler, you know how expensive it can be to stay connected abroad. Fortunately, travel eSIM plans are completely changing the game.
In this article, I’ll share how you can save hundreds of dollars on international connectivity by using an eSIM.
Quick Links:
International Roaming Add-Ons vs. Travel eSIM Plans
International Phone Plans vs. Travel eSIM Plans
How To Shop for a Travel eSIM Plan
eSIM Plans: An Affordable Way To Stay Connected Abroad
If you rely on your regular cell phone plan to stay connected while traveling outside of the U.S., you’re likely overpaying for international service.
Many travelers will add an expensive international package to their phone bill as needed or pay for a more expensive monthly plan with international connectivity included. Instead, you can save money by opting for a cheaper regular cell phone plan and adding a second local line when you travel.
eSIM-compatible phones make this an easier, more affordable option.
Physical SIM cards are slowly becoming obsolete. Instead, many of the latest smartphones rely on eSIMs (embedded SIMs), which are built into the phone’s hardware and activated remotely.
Unlike physical SIM cards, which take up the only available slot in your phone, you can have multiple active eSIM lines on the same device and choose which one to use for data, calls and texts. With this feature, you can keep your regular U.S.-based line active while you travel, but use a cheaper local plan for cellular data instead.
Additionally, travel eSIM plans are shockingly affordable. Depending on your destination(s), you can often find prepaid plans ranging from 7-30+ days for under $30. Team Clark member Laura recently tested travel eSIM plans on two international trips:
“I haven’t paid more than $10 for either eSIM, and both worked well for me,” says Laura. “Compare that to $10/day for international service from some carriers and it’s a no-brainer!”
In the following sections, I’ll take a closer look at how much you can save and how to shop for a local eSIM plan.
International Roaming Add-Ons vs. Travel eSIM Plans
Some cell phone plans come with a small amount of international roaming or connectivity, but most require an optional “add-on.” These add-ons typically include roaming data, but the amount of high-speed data you’ll be able to access may be limited based on your provider or destination.
In the table below, you can see the price and data details for an international roaming add-on from a couple of major U.S. providers and more affordable U.S. MVNOs. I’ve compared these add-ons to popular travel eSIM providers’ current prices for a 7-day unlimited eSIM with coverage throughout Europe:
ProviderAdd-OnData DetailsPrice for 7 Days
AT&T$12/dayUnlimited data
Based on your current plan allotment$84
Verizon$12/day
$10/month for 3 daysUnlimited data
5GB high-speed/day$58-$84
Visible$10/dayUnlimited data
2GB high-speed/day$70
US Mobile$305GB$60 (for 10GB total)
Holafly (Travel eSIM)$27.50/weekUnlimited high-speed data$27.50
Airalo (Travel eSIM)$27/weekUnlimited data
5GB high-speed/day$27
Saily (Travel eSIM)$26.99/weekUnlimited data
3GB high-speed/day$26.99
Vodafone (Travel eSIM)$21/weekUnlimited data
5GB high-speed/day$21
While these are the prices I can see online from travel eSIM companies, know that you’ll likely find even cheaper plans after arriving at your destination. These prices will vary based on your location, plan duration, high-speed data allotments, etc.
As you can see, a week of cellular data throughout Europe costs ~$25 on average from a travel eSIM company. Alternatively, an international add-on from AT&T or Verizon can easily reach $84 for one week.
Depending on how often you travel and the length of your trips, these savings can quickly add up.
International Phone Plans vs. Travel eSIM Plans
If you travel very frequently, you may have already invested in a cell phone plan that includes international connectivity.For some travelers, these plans are worth the higher monthly price. However, you could be overpaying for an international phone plan if you don’t use the majority of features at home.
Even if you’re out of the country 6-8 weeks annually, are you using enough of your international cell phone plan to justify the cost when you’re home?
To compare, here are a few of our favorite international cell phone plans:
Provider/PlanPlan PriceInternationalAnnual Price
Google Fi Wireless$65/month- Unlimited data in 200+ countries
(50GB high-speed)
– Free international texting
– Data, calls and texts in Canada and Mexico
– Calls from the U.S. to 50+ destinations$780
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate$95/month- Unlimited talk and text in 210+ countries
– Unlimited data in 210+ countries
(15GB high-speed)
– International talk and text from the U.S.$1,140
T-Mobile Experience Beyond$100/month- Unlimited texting in 215+ countries
– Unlimited data in 215+ countries
(15GB high-speed)
– Unlimited texting in Canada and Mexico
– Unlimited data in Canada and Mexico
(30GB high-speed)
– International texting from the U.S. $1,200
Now, here’s an example of what your annual spending could look like with a more affordable U.S. MVNO alongside a travel eSIM:
Provider/PlanPlan PriceTravel eSIMAnnual Price
w/ 6 Weeks Travel
US Mobile Unlimited Starter (Review)$270/year$10-$30/week$330 – $450
Visible (Review)$275/year$10-$30/week$335 – $455
Mint Mobile Unlimited (Review)$360/year$10-$30/week$420 – $540
As you can see, choosing a cheaper cell phone plan for most of the year is an easy way to save. Plus, each of these plans still includes unlimited data in the U.S.
Of course, the amount you’ll save will vary based on how much you travel, the plans you’re switching from/to, and the cost of the eSIM you choose on your trips.
Still, based on these numbers, you could easily save $240-$750+ annually with a travel eSIM compared to an international phone plan.
How To Shop for a Travel eSIM Plan
Bring an Unlocked Phone
Before you purchase a travel eSIM plan, confirm that your phone is unlocked. If your current phone is paid off, it’s likely already unlocked and can be used to activate a second line.
Purchase and Activate When You Arrive
You can buy an international phone plan online before your trip from a travel eSIM company like Airalo, Holafly or Saily. However, you’ll likely find the most affordable options available after landing at your destination.
While it may seem intimidating to buy cell service when you arrive, it’s actually very simple (and cheap!).
“Some people get intimidated by that and they’ll go buy at a travel website in the United States before they go,” says money expert Clark Howard. “You’re going to be shocked at how much more you’re paying doing that than just doing it when you get to where you’re going. It’s really easy, especially if your phone takes eSIM.”
Typically, you’ll see a few options in international airports as well as at convenience stores and shops along busy streets. As long as your phone is unlocked, you can easily activate an eSIM at one of these locations in major cities in most countries.
Choose a Plan That Will Meet Your Needs
The most affordable local plans will include a set amount of local minutes, texts and high-speed data. You’ll also be able to choose how long you need coverage (ex., 7 days, 10 days, 15 days, 30 days, etc.)
If you buy an eSIM online before your trip, be sure to read the details. For example, calling and texting vary between travel eSIM plans. Many include local calls and texts, but others are data-only eSIMs.
Finally, make sure you’ll have coverage in all the locations you plan to visit, or plan to buy another local cell phone plan if you visit a different country.
Connect to the U.S. via Wi-Fi-Based Apps
When shopping for a travel eSIM, you don’t necessarily need to find a plan that includes calling and texting to the U.S. Instead, consider staying connected to friends and family back home through a Wi-Fi-based communication app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
If your regular cell phone plan supports Wi-Fi calling, you can even switch back to your regular eSIM to make calls while connected. Just make sure to switch back to your travel eSIM before disconnecting from Wi-Fi to prevent any accidental international usage charges.
Using your hotel’s Wi-Fi and staying connected whenever possible is also a great way to reduce your overall high-speed mobile data usage. This will help stretch your plan and ensure reliable coverage throughout your trip.
To learn more about how to shop for a local eSIM plan while traveling, read our full guide here.
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