If you’re travelling long-term, staying connected while you’re on the road is a must. Not just for checking emails, posting on social media or checking in with family, but also for daily necessities like banking, booking accommodation, and using online maps for navigation and planning.
In this day and age, it would feel nearly impossible to go travelling without being online at least some of the time, whether you’re a digital nomad or a holiday-goer. Luckily, it’s easy to do, either with a local SIM card or an eSIM. We’ve tried both over the years, and have a few thoughts on which is best for long-term travel.
What’s a local SIM card?
Local SIM cards can be quite cheap, which makes them a cost effective option for long-term travel if you’re staying in one country rather than crossing lots of borders. You can purchase them directly from a local supplier for a good deal, usually with high data allowances and decent network coverage. These prepaid SIM deals can be very competitively priced, especially in regions like Asia and Africa, so it’s definitely worth checking them out if you intend to stay within the same area for a longer period.
You’ll also get a local phone number, which makes communication easier. This could come in handy when booking travel, or arranging deliveries to your accommodation, particularly in areas with poor internet connectivity. Another benefit of a local SIM card is that you’ll be connecting directly to the network provider, which often means better speed, stability and coverage, especially in more remote areas.
There are downsides to the local SIM card, so it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons before you take the plunge. There can be compatibility issues with your device, which can be problematic when you need immediate access. It’s also a bit of a pain to keep having to swap SIM cards if you’re continually moving about, although if your mobile has a dual SIM option that’s less of an issue.
How is an eSIM different?
An eSIM is basically a digital SIM card, accessed using an app that you download prior to your trip. They’re available from providers like Yesim eSIM and can be set up before you even leave home — all you’d need to do is activate it at the airport once you’ve landed for immediate connectivity. We love being able to have our eSIMs all set up and ready to go before we even touch down in our destination. A simple click of a button on arrival and we’re good to go. It’s stress free, which is always good, since there are enough other travel hassles to contend with.
With an eSIM you can easily switch between countries on your mobile device without having to change physical SIMs. Providers generally offer several different plans based on regions, data amount required, and length of travel time. You can easily add more data if you find you’re running out at any point. We find eSIMS really useful when we’re crossing borders as the regional plans include several countries in the same area, meaning no SIM swapping required.
eSIMS do tend to be more expensive than local SIM cards, which can have an impact on your budget on longer-term trips, and speeds can sometimes be slower depending on the network you’re being routed to. However, there’s no question that eSIMs are easier to use so it’s really a question of cost versus convenience.
So which is best for long-term travel?
If you’re staying in one country for a long period, a local SIM card may well be the cheaper, if slightly less convenient option. However, if you’re crossing boarders and visiting several countries on your trip, an eSIM makes more sense because you’d have to keep buying local SIM cards, the cost of which could soon mount up.
Personally, we’ve found eSIMs far more convenient, as they’re so easy to use and take just a couple of minutes to set up. Even if we’re only doing a short trip, we tend to opt for the convenience of an eSIM over the hassle of obtaining and setting up a local SIM card. It’s just one less thing to have to worry about when you’re travelling to a new place.
