The best eSIMs for travellers to beat hefty roaming charges

Fuss-free roaming data plans at a better price than at the airport kiosk
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On the list of additional costs that can trip up travellers, the dreaded roaming data charge is up there as one of the most irritating. Of course, there are usually phone plan kiosks at the airport or the odd SIM card vending machine. However, by the point you’ve reached the arrivals lounge, you’re a captive audience and thus beholden to whatever rate is offered. You also might need some data before leaving the airport: I’m still scarred by the charge I incurred in the connecting terminal in Singapore when the Wi-Fi wasn’t working and I needed to let my partner know I’d arrived.

But there is a way to beat the charges before you’ve even left the country – and that’s by using an eSIM. Oftentimes, purchasing a dedicated travel SIM works out cheaper overall than using the additional data bundles offered with your regular UK phone plan, especially for frequent fliers and those headed further afield than Europe. And by using a digital SIM rather than a traditional physical one, there’s no need to wait for it to arrive or worry about losing your regular SIM card while it’s not in use.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to switch between mobile networks directly through your phone’s settings. It means you can stay constantly connected abroad without the risk of being hit with any nasty roaming charges or being beholden to your networks’ often-pricey data plans.

Is my phone eSim compatible?

Most post-2018 smartphones are eSIM compatible, but you will need to make sure you’re not locked to a single network. If this is the case, provided you’ve reached the end of your original contract, you can ask your provider to unlock it for free by requesting a Network Unlock Code (NUC).

Do I need a different eSIM for each country I visit?

No. All eSIMs are suitable for use worldwide, so you’ll only need one eSIM for all of your travel needs. Further, plenty of the plans below are suitable for use in several countries: for example, if you buy an EasySim plan for a trip to France, the data will also be valid for use in a further 36 countries, making it better value for those going on to do more onward travel.

Below, we’ve outlined the best eSIM services to know in time for your next trip, along with the price for a week’s worth of data for a long haul flight to Indonesia as a price comparison guide.

Airhub

Best eSIM overall

Pros: Yearly and monthly subscriptions, unlimited data and voice options available
Cons: None that we can see
Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: $6 (£4.75)
Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: $2.99 (£2.37)

This is our best eSIM option – Airhub is a great service for frequent travellers and digital nomads especially. The app is intuitive and easy to use, and there are plenty of different plans available for trips of all lengths. One perk this service offers over the others we like is the yearly and monthly subscriptions, which make financially savvy options for those on longer trips – for example if you’re stationed somewhere for work or taking advantage of that post-Covid ‘work from anywhere’ lifestyle. There are also plans that include voice minutes and SMS services, which is an additional boast that the other services here can’t match.

EasySim

Pros: Diverse range of data plans, many plans work across multiple countries, no need for an app
Cons: No family feature for managing multiple eSims per account
Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: £8.50
Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: £8.50

EasySim is part of the EasyJet family of brands, so they know a thing or two about roaming. True to form, it’s one of the most comprehensive services on offer, with a good range of plans at some of the best prices we’ve seen. Some may not like the lack of an app, but the website is easy to use and does the job perfectly well. As a bonus, this service covers a wide range of phones. Not all the options on this list are compatible with my Motorola – an admittedly niche handset – but the compatibility here adds an additional sweetener to this service for me.

Airalo

Pros: Worldwide and regional plans available, diverse range of plans
Cons: No family feature for managing multiple eSims per account
Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: $11 (£8.71)
Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: $11 (£8.71)

All the prices on Airalo come up in US dollars, but don’t be fooled – these plans are accessible to anyone in the world. Airalo has some of the most diverse offerings out there – with regional and even worldwide SIMs available, so even the most voracious country-hoppers should be covered. For those planning treks across Asia or the like, you might want to take note.

GoMo World

Best eSIM for short trips

Pros: Low starting prices
Cons: Fewer cross-country compatible plans than EasySim, calls, SMS and MMS services aren’t currently provided
Price for a 3GB eSIM for Indonesia: No 3GB plan available; 1.5GB for £3.99 or 15GB for £20
Price for a 3GB eSIM for USA: No 3GB plan available; 1GB for £3.99 or 15GB for £20

As someone who travels regularly for work, and often only for a few days at a time, I’ve sometimes found myself paying over the odds for week-long data plans when I’m only away a few days. Case in point on a recent trip to the Maldives, where I was beholden to the airport’s singular 10gb data SIM offering despite only being in the country for three days. So, if you’re one for regular short hops, GoMo World’s smaller plans are ones to consider for maximum cost-saving benefits.