In the digital age of 2024, we need our phones and devices for far more than just a means of communication. At the risk of sounding a touch hyperbolic, they’re an indispensable daily companion and never are they more essential than when we head off for a spot of travelling.
Whether it’s ordering a cab, navigating unfamiliar streets, or translating weird, wonderful alien languages on the go, a phone with a working sim and reliable data access has become a non-negotiable part of the travel toolkit. However, despite living in a globalised world, the functionality of our native SIM cards often ends at our home country’s border.
For years, the norm for globe-trotters has been to purchase a local SIM upon arriving at their destination, or in some cases, by purchasing an eSim package before flying.
But as our world becomes increasingly interconnected, a new contender has entered the arena – the international SIM card, promising seamless connectivity across borders. This post delves into the intricate dance of choosing between a local, or an international SIM (or eSim) for your travels.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
International Sim vs Local Sim
If you’re wondering what is an esim? Don’t panic, let’s jump right on in and clarify what it is when we talk about international SIMs and local SIMs before you decide which is the best sim for your travels.
International SIM: A globetrotter’s dream, the international SIM offers widespread coverage, spanning multiple countries and continents. It’s a one-stop solution, eliminating the need for multiple SIMs. An international sim should connect and work instantly, all over the world as soon as you land. If you get yourself a good one, it could well be the last SIM you ever need to buy.
However, this convenience comes with a premium price tag. Minutes and Data packages can cost far more than local sims.
Furthermore, unless you regularly change countries, you quite possibly simply do not need an international SIM and need not incur the expense of a premium package.
Local SIM: Tailored for specific destinations, local SIMs offer an authentic and usually more affordable way to stay connected. You can generally pick up a local sim anywhere in the world relatively quickly and easily, and in some destinations (such as India) it’s astonishing how cheap a local sim in India can be.
They are perfect for travellers focusing on one country or region but can become cumbersome if you’re frequently crossing borders and often having to toss away bits of plastic or download new eSim packages.
Image: Will Hatton
Regional SIMs: Bridging the gap between local and international, regional SIMs offer a balanced solution. For instance, if you need a sim in Italy but also plan to visit a few other countries during your trip. A European package might provide seamless service across the EU, marrying the benefits of both local and international SIMs.
Best of all, regional sim packages are often priced pretty competitively. For example, HolaFly offers an all-Europe Data-only eSim package for the same rate as most European country packages. These kinds of packages are ideal for travellers who are, say, backpacking through Europe or doing the famous Southeast Asia loop.
The fly in the ointment though, is that regional sims often exclude certain countries (for example many European ones don’t work in the UK or Ukraine) and they do tend to work better in some locations than in others.
Finally, please note that for all of the above “Sim Types”, some options include talk time and text, whereas some offer only data. All are also still available in both physical SIM and eSim versions.
Here Are Some Top Travel Sim Providers
We will now look at some of our personal favourite travel sim providers. All of these providers offer international, regional and local options. Some others both plastic and eSim whereas others offer eSim only. We will make this clear as we go.
GigSky
Established in 2010 and based in Palo Alto, California, GigSky is a mobile technology firm that specialises in providing e-SIM and SIM card data services to travellers across the globe. Distinguishing itself from the majority of eSIM providers, GigSky operates as an independent Network Operator, collaborating with over 400 carriers worldwide. This unique position grants them access to an extensive network infrastructure, ensuring more reliable service and fewer outages than many competitors.
While GigSky does not provide local phone numbers, customers can still place and receive calls via apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Skype, utilising the data included in their eSim plans. Along with a global sim option, several regional sim packages, and a bespoke “Land + Sea” package one of the best sims for cruise-goers.
After testing numerous sim companies, GigSky emerges as our preferred choice, thanks to its superior network coverage, reasonable pricing, and user-friendly app. The addition of local number offerings would make their service even more attractive.
GigSky offers a range of packages including a tasty ‘try before you buy’ deal that gives you 100MB of data for 7 days.
Jetpac
As our world gets smaller, staying connected while travelling becomes not just a luxury but an absolute necessity. Enter Jetpac, a cutting-edge travel eSIM provider promising seamless connectivity at low costs, across the globe.
Based out of Singapore Jetpac offers packages, designed primarily for travellers and Digital Nomads. They offer various data plans that can be used across many countries, and the service includes features like free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.
Good news, Jetpac eSIMs are compatible with a range of devices, including many models from Apple, Samsung, and Google. If you’re wondering what the heck is an eSIM, don’t panic, it’s simple and straightforward to activate a Jetpac eSIM. Users need to sign up on the Jetpac website or app, choose a plan that fits their travel needs, and then scan a QR code to install the eSIM on their device.
We love Jetpac for its ease of setup and reliable connectivity. JetPac makes it a handy tool for international travel, ensuring continuous access to mobile data across multiple destinations. While they don’t offer local numbers, we love that most of their packs last for 30 days by default so you can just concentrate on how much data you need.
Sim Options
SimOptions is a reputable global marketplace that specialises in offering high-quality prepaid eSIMs for travellers in over 200 destinations worldwide. The platform has been dedicated to providing the best possible eSIM and international sim options at the most competitive rates for travellers since 2018. They rigorously test and select eSIMs to ensure that you receive the best connectivity and service wherever you travel.
As well as effectively acting as a broker from a number of the best eSIM providers, SimOptions also offer their own eSIM products too.
Basically, SimOptions is kind of like a market comparison website for helping you find the best sim for your travels. You simply type in your destination and they bring up the different eSIM options from a wide number of prospective providers and suppliers
Sim Local
Irish based Sim Local specialise in providing eSIM services, primarily targeted at global travellers to help them stay connected without incurring expensive roaming charges. Based in Dublin and London, Sim Local sells local SIM cards and eSIM profiles through their retail outlets, vending machines, and online platforms.
Sim Local offers a variety of eSIM plans that can be activated instantly and are designed to provide a convenient and secure way to stay connected in numerous countries. Their services are beneficial for those who travel frequently, as they provide the option to switch between multiple eSIM profiles on a single device, depending on the user’s location and needs.
They also offer pretty comprehensive customer support and a range of payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, all processed securely via Stripe.
HolaFly
Plucky Spanish-based eSim upstart HolaFly has distinguished itself as a go-to eSim provider offering a good range of tailored solutions for the savvy traveller. HolaFly’s eSIMs are designed for those who travel frequently or visit multiple countries, providing seamless connectivity across various regions.
They offer regional sims for Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and The United Kingdom (Included on the list but not quite the same!) and The Caribbean
Let’s now take a quick look at a few different HolaFly offers.
HolaFly international eSim
HolaFly does not offer an international sim but does offer a few good regional packages.
HolaFly Europe eSim
This package offers both unlimited data and talk time (unusual for eSim) and works in 32 European countries although I will admit it is not entirely clear from the HolaFly website which ones!
Unlimited data with calls
5 Days – $19
7 Days – $27
10 Days – $34
15 Days – $47
20 Days – $54
30 Days – $64
60 Days – $87
90 Days – $99
HolaFly Thailand eSIM
Unlimited Data (no calls)
5 Days – $19
7 Days – $27
10 Days – $34
15 Days – $47
20 Days – $54
30 Days – $64
60 Days – $84
90 Days – $99
Vodafone (VOXI)
A stalwart and true giant in the communication industry, VodaFone’s travel SIM solutions are both reliable and diverse. From international SIMs that cover you in numerous countries to local SIMs that offer in-depth coverage, Vodafone ensures you’re always connected.
We are going to focus on VodaFone’s VOXI brand and the European packages that they offer
Voxi European Roaming Pass
1 day – £2.25
2 days – £4
8 days – £10
15 days – £15
Allowances:
Inclusive plan data, or 20GB fair usage (whichever is less)*
Unlimited Texts (including MMS)
Unlimited Minutes
15-day Roaming Extra – £25
15 days
200 minutes
200 texts
4GB data
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Final Thoughts – International or Local Sim?
Choosing between an international and a local SIM card is ultimately just another part of the process of selecting the right gear for your journey. It’s about balancing cost, convenience, and responding to your own personal needs.
If you’re a jet-setter hopping across countries, then an international SIM might be your passport to seamless connectivity. However, if your adventures are less frequent, and tend to be concentrated in one region or country, a local SIM could provide more in-depth coverage at a fraction of the cost.
Consider your travel habits, destinations, and tech preferences, and you’ll find the perfect travel SIM that doesn’t just connect your calls but connects with your way of travel.
