International SIM: How it works and where to buy
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Traveling abroad involves a lot of preparation like passports, tickets, accommodations, and planning your itinerary… and of course, internet connection. After all, who wants to pay hefty roaming fees or rely on public Wi-Fi in a distant country? One of the best ways to ensure internet access during an international trip is by using a SIM card or eSIM, which connects you to a local network as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Do you know the difference between a SIM card and an eSIM? How do you choose between them, and which is the best international SIM for travel? Where and how do you buy one? Let’s explore how these options work in the market today, discuss the advantages of the eSIM, and share tips on using this new technology.
At the end, you can also take advantage of our discount coupons to get up to 15% off your eSIM purchase!
If you prefer, skip straight to the topic of interest:
What is an international SIM and how does it work?
It’s a technology that allows your phone to connect with carriers in other countries, making it easy to access the internet and mobile services abroad without relying on your home provider. It’s ideal for travelers as it avoids high international roaming costs and lets you connect to local data networks as soon as you reach your destination.
There are two types of international SIMs: the physical SIM card and the virtual eSIM. Let’s break down the differences!
What’s the difference between a SIM card and an eSIM?
The main difference between an international SIM card and an eSIM is in the form and usage.
The international SIM card is a physical card that you insert into your phone, requiring you to remove your original carrier’s SIM.
On the other hand, the eSIM (embedded SIM) is a virtual chip built into your device, allowing you to download and activate data plans without any physical swap. This option offers more convenience, as activation is digital, quick, and can be done before your trip. Additionally, it lets you use more than one plan simultaneously (your carrier’s plan + international eSIM), which is great if you want to keep your original number active for calls or SMS.
Sustainability: eSIMs are also naturally more sustainable than traditional SIM cards, since they don’t require any packaging or physical chip. Less plastic, less electronic waste, and lower resource consumption!
Why choose an international eSIM?
Convenience, savings, and flexibility: these words perfectly describe the benefits of an eSIM and are a true blessing for travelers. Plan prices are usually quite similar to those of local carriers.
What is the best international eSIM?
Here at Live More, Travel More, we tested the Airalo eSIM and loved it! Here are some advantages:
Global coverage
You’ll find plans for virtually anywhere in the world! North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Oceania… more than 200 countries and regions are covered by Airalo’s data plans.
Local, regional, and global plans
You can choose a plan for the specific country you’re visiting, a regional plan (like “Europe” or “Southeast Asia”), or even a global plan that works across multiple countries.
Security
Using free public Wi-Fi can be risky when it comes to protecting your personal data and sensitive information. With your own Airalo connection, you can feel safe when accessing apps and sending messages.
Affordable prices
There are plans starting at just US$4, valid for 7 days and offering 1 GB of data. Prices vary depending on your destination, number of days, and how much data you plan to use.
User-friendly app
Airalo offers an app (available for iOS and Android) where you can search for destinations, compare plans, purchase, and activate your eSIM in just a few clicks.
Multilingual support
The Airalo website is available in several languages and contains everything you need to know about using an eSIM. Customer support is also available in multiple languages for added convenience.
Where and how to buy an international eSIM?
Not sure how or where to buy a virtual international SIM? The process is simple, quick, and fully digital. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy an Airalo eSIM:
1. Visit the website or download the Airalo app
You can access Airalo through your browser or download the app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
2. Create a free account
Just enter your email and create a password. You can also sign in with your Google or Apple account.
3. Search for your destination
Type in the country you’re traveling to (for example, “Brazil,” “Italy,” or “Thailand”) and check the available plans.
4. Choose the ideal plan
Consider how much data you’ll need, how long your trip is, and how often you’ll use the internet. For short trips, 1 to 3 GB may be enough. For longer stays or remote work, go for plans with 5 GB, 10 GB, or more.
5. Pay
Airalo accepts credit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods. Once your payment is complete, you’ll receive a QR code and instructions to activate your eSIM.
6. Install and activate the eSIM
You can install the eSIM by scanning the QR code with your phone’s camera or by manually entering the code in your device settings. After that, just enable mobile data on the new plan and start using it.
Extra tips for using your international eSIM hassle-free
- Before purchasing your international virtual SIM, it’s essential to check if your device is compatible with eSIM technology. You can find a list of compatible models on Airalo’s official website.
- Turn off roaming on your physical SIM card: to avoid extra charges from your mobile carrier, disable roaming on your original line.
- Keep the physical SIM active only for calls and SMS, if needed.
- Check your plan’s validity and remaining data directly in the Airalo app.
- Avoid deleting the eSIM profile, as it might not be recoverable.
- If you’re traveling to multiple countries, consider a regional or global plan — it’s usually cheaper than buying separate plans for each destination.
Is an international eSIM really good? Is it worth it?
Yes! If you’re looking for affordability, convenience, and security during your trip, an eSIM is currently the best solution. Instead of wasting time searching for a SIM card at the airport or risking losing connection, you can arrive at your destination with everything already set up. Airalo stands out for its variety of plans, user-friendly interface, and competitive prices.
So, next time you travel, try this new technology and see how easy it is to stay connected. And the best part: no surprises on your phone bill and full control over your connection.
Airalo Coupon
Our partnership with Airalo is growing stronger every day, and we’ve secured special discount coupons just for you! New customers receive 15% off Airalo with this link, while returning customers can get 10% off with this other link.
It’s important to note that each user can only use one of these discounts, and only once.
FAQ
The eSIM, or “embedded SIM”, is a digital miniature integrated into the cell phone’s circuit board that, when activated, allows instant connection to a nearby cell phone operator.
After purchasing a plan, you can activate the configuration of the mobile device by scanning a QR code provided by the operator or manually installing the network profile.
We recommend the eSIM Airalo, due to its practicality, openness and competitive prices.
As you can see, the information shared in this article demonstrates that the Airalo eSIM is a highly practical and valuable tool for anyone looking to stay connected while traveling around the world. So, are you ready to give it a try?
🦊 Sincere fox informs:
* This article was created with the support of Airalo, our favorite eSIM store! Don’t worry, our recommendations are always genuine and based on our experience.
