What is a Travel SIM?
A Travel SIM is a SIM card specifically designed to help travelers stay connected abroad. These SIM cards work in multiple countries and offer local data plans at lower costs compared to international roaming rates from your usual mobile provider.
There are two types of Travel SIMs:
- Physical SIM cards: the traditional cards you insert into your phone
- eSIMs: digital SIMs activated by scanning a QR code, requiring a compatible smartphone
Thanks to their convenience and instant activation, eSIMs are becoming increasingly popular among travelers. There’s no need to wait for physical delivery and you can install multiple eSIMs on your smartphone at once, for different destinations, ready to be activated as soon as you land. This flexibility allows you to select only the data plans that match your real needs during different legs of your journey.
Your smartphone must already have eSIM technology built in to support this kind of connection. Most modern smartphones are compatible with eSIMs, and a growing number of other devices like tablets or laptops support them too. Always check our list of compatible smartphones before making a purchase.
How does a Travel eSIM work?
Compared to traditional SIMs, the purchase and installation process for an eSIM is much simpler. There’s no need to upload documents, wait for shipping, or deal with limited plan options. Here’s how the process works with eSIM.sm:
- Choose your destination: visit our destination list and pick the country or countries you’ll be traveling to
- Select your data plan and purchase: each destination has various plans available, starting from 1GB up to 100GB depending on the location. You can also opt for regional plans, unlimited plans (when available), or our Global Pay-per-Use Plan that covers 155 countries with just one eSIM
- Scan the QR code: immediately after purchase, you’ll receive a QR code via email. Scan it to start installing your eSIM. If you’re unable to scan it, we’ll also send you manual installation instructions
- Instant activation: the installation instructions will guide you through the activation steps. You can activate your eSIM once you arrive at your destination to get online right away
The entire process, from selection to installation, takes less than a minute and can be completed at home or at the airport before your trip.
Just remember that installation and activation are two different steps. To install the eSIM on your smartphone, you’ll need internet access; the eSIM will be present on your device but not active yet. To activate the eSIM, no internet connection is needed (just remember the steps), and only after activation will you gain access to the local data network.
Why choose an eSIM for your travels?
eSIMs offer numerous advantages for travelers and are the smartest choice when it comes to Travel SIMs, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.
- No international roaming fees: eSIMs connect you directly to local networks abroad, avoiding your usual provider’s high roaming charges
- Instant activation: access the internet as soon as you land by activating your eSIM. No SIM swaps or hunting for local phone stores
- Fully online process: everything from selection and purchase to setup is done online. You can also monitor your usage and top up anytime
- Keep your number: eSIMs from eSIM.sm are for data only, so you can keep your usual number and continue using apps like WhatsApp or Telegram
- Wide compatibility: eSIMs work with both iOS and Android. Most modern smartphones support this feature, but be sure to check compatibility first
eSIM.sm: the perfect Travel SIM solution
Now that you know the benefits of using eSIMs and how the purchasing process works on our platform, here’s why eSIM.sm is the best choice for your travel eSIM:
- Coverage in over 190 countries with local eSIMs, and in 155 countries with the Global eSIM
- Flexible and affordable data plans, starting from 1GB up to 100GB for selected destinations
- Transparent pricing, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges
- User-friendly interface to track usage and top up as needed
- Multilingual customer support available 24/7
We work every day to provide the best service possible at the most competitive prices on the market.
Frequently asked questions about Travel SIMs
What happens to my current phone number if I activate an eSIM?
Nothing changes. You can activate the eSIM just for data. You’ll still receive calls and SMS on your primary number, but keep in mind any roaming fees from your original provider are not included in the eSIM data plan.
Can I use an eSIM with my current provider?
It depends. Some providers do support eSIM for local plans too, and it’s expected that traditional SIMs will be fully replaced by eSIMs in the future. However, travel eSIMs work alongside your regular SIM, handling only mobile data.
Note: some providers may block external eSIM installation. Always check for potential restrictions before purchasing.
How can I top up my eSIM data plan?
With eSIM.sm, you can top up anytime from your personal dashboard. You can even enable automatic top-ups to avoid running out of data.
What happens if I change phones during the trip?
Most eSIMs are tied to a specific device. If you switch phones, you may need to purchase a new eSIM or contact support for help.
What kind of customer support does eSIM.sm offer?
eSIM.sm offers 24/7 customer support in all major languages. You can reach us by email at [email protected].
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway in Europe or a round-the-world trip, an eSIM is the smartest, most sustainable, and cost-effective way to stay connected without worry.
