When I travel abroad, one of the first things I decide is if I am going to a place where getting a local or international SIM card makes more sense than signing up for an international calling plan at an extra expense.
For me, the SIM card option often wins out simply because I know what amount I will end up spending.
I prefer to take the worry of an unexpected outrageous wireless bill once I get home by zeroing in on a card with a fixed cost when traveling outside of my home country. Here are some of the best for you to think about while making sure your passport is ready to pack.
Mint Mobile SIM card
Credit: Mint
This SIM card is a great option if you’re traveling to Canada or Mexico because it includes 5G for free, 10GB of mobile hotspot, WiFi calling and text, free international calls to Mexico and Canada, and a 7-day money-back guarantee. It costs $30 per month and there are different plans you can choose from. At the time of publishing, this SIM card had over 7,300 global reviews on Amazon with 68% giving it 5 stars.
Keepgo Lifetime SIM card
Credit: Keepgo
With this SIM card, you can get high-speed internet in over 100 countries around the world and there are multiple networks per country for the best coverage. It has various data packages that you can choose from and it includes 1 GB of mobile data that is valid for a lifetime if refilled at least once a year. It’s super easy to install and does not require any ID documents or any personal information. At the time of publishing, this product had nearly 200 global reviews on Amazon with 56% giving it 5 stars.
OneSIMCard
Credit: OneSIMCard
The OneSIMCard has coverage in over 200 countries and you can get free incoming calls in over 160 countries. You can also get mobile data service in over 160 countries for just $0.01 per MB. It includes an American and European phone number as well as 4G service in 50+ countries, along with 5G available. At the time of publishing, this product had over 400 global reviews with 54% giving it 5 stars.
Use eSIM
An eSIM is just a digital version of the physical SIM card identifying your device virtually to provide a network connection. It’s programmable remotely via software and is built into newer smartphones.
eSIM cards are great because they are more secure than a physical SIM because they can’t be removed if your iPhone is lost or stolen. You also wouldn’t need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards. Your carrier might also offer the ability to manage your eSIM plan digitally and add more data as needed. To determine if your device has an eSIM or a physical SIM card, you can follow these steps:
- Go to the settings menu on your smartphone
- Look for the “Cellular” or “Mobile Data” option and tap on it
- Within the cellular settings, you should see an option related to your SIM card or mobile network
- Look for an option called eSIM. If you see this option, it means your device supports eSIM
Many phone carriers offer eSIM cards to customers as well. See my picks below.
Maya
Maya is a US-based mobile data provider using eSIM technology to deliver highly secure, on-demand travel SIM cards to tourists and travelers around the world. Get fast 4G/5G international roaming data and the best coverage in 194 countries with our eSIM plans for international travel.
Airalo
Airalo provides eSIM cards in over 200 countries and is super simple to begin using. All you have to do is download the Airalo app, which is available for iPhone and Android. Then you simply follow the steps for setting up your eSIM card. You can purchase your eSIM card from anywhere in the world and there are no hidden fees. Plus, their customer service is around 24/7 in case you run into any hiccups. Plans vary from $4.50 to $42 for local eSIMs, and you can get regional or global eSIMs as well.
Don’t forget about WhatsApp
As long as you have an internet connection while you’re traveling abroad, you should also take advantage of WhatsApp so that you can easily communicate with your friends and family. You can text, call, use group chats, send photos and videos, and more, and it is cheaper and offers more than simple SMS messaging. It also has end-to-end encryption for your messages and phone calls so that you don’t have to worry about being hacked.
WhatsApp is available for both iPhone and Android phones, and you can download it before your next big trip to familiarize yourself with how it works.
Also, before you pack your bags and jet off, be sure to check out the best travel gear of 2023 at cyberguy.com/TravelGear
What stresses you out the most when it comes to traveling abroad with your phone? Let us know by commenting below.
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