Getting online is the first thing most travellers do after landing. The price you pay and the hassle you accept depend on four choices, and the best one changes with the length of your trip.
The four ways
| Option | Best for | Number | Effort | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home roaming | A day or two, or business travel | Your own | None | Daily passes and out-of-bundle fees add up quickly |
| Travel eSIM | Short trips, several countries | Data only, usually | Low: install before you fly | No local number, and a data cap |
| Local carrier SIM or eSIM | A stay of weeks or months | A local number | Medium: ID may be needed | Activation rules, top-up method |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Groups sharing one connection | None | Medium: rent and return | Battery and a device to carry |
- 1
How long are you staying?
- 2
Do you need a local number?
- 3
Pick the option
- 4
Install on Wi-Fi
- 5
Test before you fly
A simple way to decide
Count the days and the data
A week of maps and messaging needs far less than a week of video calls. Decide how much you need.
Ask whether you need a local number
Delivery apps, local banks and hotels sometimes want a local number for texts. If not, data only is fine.
Compare the total price
Add the daily roaming pass to the plan price for the same days. Include setup time as a cost too.
Check your phone
It must support eSIM and not be locked to a carrier. See eSIM explained.
Choose a travel eSIM when
- You visit one or more countries for under two weeks
- You only need data for maps, messages and email
- You want to keep your home number reachable on a second line
Choose something else when
- You need a local number for calls and verification texts
- You stay for months and use a lot of data
- Your phone does not support eSIM or is locked
Finally, set up before you fly. Airport Wi-Fi is slow and crowded, and a plan that starts counting when you install it should be installed on the day you land, not a week earlier.
Common mistakes
Buying a plan too large or too small. Estimate your use before you pay.
Ignoring the start rules. Some plans start counting on installation, others on first use.
Forgetting hotspot rules. Sharing your connection may be limited on some plans.
A quick checklist
Phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
Plan covers every country on your route.
Install on Wi-Fi, and give the line a clear name.
Home line stays on for codes, with roaming off.
Questions people ask
Is a travel eSIM always cheaper than roaming?
Not always. Some home plans include roaming days or cheap daily passes. Compare the daily roaming pass with a regional eSIM plan for the same number of days and the same amount of data.
Do I need a local number?
Only if you must receive local calls or verification texts from local services. For maps, messaging apps and browsing, data alone is enough.
Sources
Written from these pages and checked against them on October 5, 2026. Programs and rules change, so check the provider’s current terms before you decide.
General information, not financial, legal or travel advice. Your own card terms and the provider’s current rules always come first.