When we’re traveling around overseas, our phones are often essential bits of kit. Whether that’s for checking into our flights and accommodation to using Google Maps to booking reservations, having decent internet access is a priority for a lot of people.
However, data roaming packages can be super expensive and fairly limited. With the rise of the e-SIM, so many people are opting for these virtual overseas SIM cards that you can easily download and activate on your phone. So, should you buy an e-SIM for Europe? Let’s find out.
What is an e-SIM
First things first, what is an e-SIM and how does it work. Well, an e-SIM is a virtual SIM card that takes up the second SIM card slot in your phone. Normally, you buy your e-SIM package online using a provider like Airalo, and then activate this SIM in your settings when you arrive overseas.
This means your phone is operating off this secondary virtual SIM instead of your home SIM. Essentially, it’s exactly the same as buying an overseas SIM when you get to a destination, except it’s way more convenient and virtual rather than physical.
These e-SIMs tend to come in packages either based on the amount of data (100gb, 200gb, etc.) or by duration, ranging from a day or two up to three months in some cases. The other things to look out for are regional vs one-country and worldwide passes.
Many e-SIM providers will offer passes that work in just one country, a wider region (like Europe), and some have worldwide passes. These passes are great but just check which countries are included as it might not have all 50 countries in Europe, it might just have 20 or so.
Where are you visiting?
Whether or not you should buy an e-SIM in Europe definitely depends on whereabouts you’re visiting. If you’re spending three days in London, then you probably won’t need an e-SIM. The amount of public or open WiFi spots in a huge European city is really high, so it’s easy to hop from network to network to check in when you need it.
If you’re heading somewhere a little bit more remote or to a smaller city that might not have a free citywide WiFi network, you might want to cover yourself by purchasing an e-SIM package.
What’s your data plan like?
Honestly, some data packages allow you to use your existing plan in Europe for no additional cost, especially if you’re from a country within the EU or some operators in the UK (unfortunately not mine anymore!). If this is the case, just use your phone as you usually would.
If you need to look at your roaming data package and compare it to the price of an e-SIM. For a short trip to one country, the prices are usually pretty similar, so it might be more convenient to pay for a roaming package from your phone company instead of an e-SIM.
What’s your accommodation like?
The reason accommodation is important in a conversation about e-SIMs is that not all places have great WiFi capabilities. Some vacation rentals don’t have reliable WiFi, especially if it’s someone’s personal place they rent out and they rely on their mobile data.
Similarly, many hotels still don’t have free WiFi in their rooms, so you either have to scroll in the lobby or pay through the nose for a stable connection.
If you’re staying somewhere that has reliable, free WiFi, the need for an e-SIM is a lot less. You can download maps before you head out and sort out all your emails, scrolling, and admin in the hotel or hostel, so you’re largely covered.
How many devices are you using?
Okay, this depends on the e-SIM provider you’re using, but I’m using Airalo for this section. So, some e-SIM providers, like Airalo, include hotspot and tether capability as part of their packages. What this means is that you pay for one e-SIM package and you can use it across multiple devices.
This is great if you’re traveling with someone else or if you need to work or edit photos overseas and need that laptop connection. Obviously, if you’re sharing your data package, you might want to get one that’s slightly bigger, but you’ll be splitting the cost, so it’s a really cost-effective way to stay connected overseas.
How long are you in Europe?
This is a huge question. The longer you’re in Europe, the more beneficial an e-SIM is likely to be. Their value definitely increases over longer trip durations, and compared with the data roaming packages, it becomes a lot cheaper and more flexible.
If you’re interrailing, the European Airalo pass is going to be ideal. No more swapping and changing SIM cards or roaming packages at each border – trust me, that adds up quickly!
Staying in Europe for a year or so? You might want to just invest in a local package or provider. e-SIMs are mostly designed for travelers and digital nomads, rather than expats. So if you’re staying for good, go and sort out a local number and plan, it’s going to make your life a lot easier in the long run.
