Courtney GWhile traveling internationally, it’s important to stay connected with loved ones back home. Wi-Fi, especially free Wi-Fi, isn’t available everywhere. The ways to do that are either by adding an international data plan to your phone carrier, getting an eSIM, or getting a mobile hotspot.
International Phone Plan
Check with your phone carrier to see what options they’d provide for your international phone plan and if it would work in the country(ies) you’re visiting. Sometimes it could be the more affordable option but other times it might be best to go with an eSIM or mobile hotspot.
eSim
An eSim is a digital SIM card that lets you use the cellular data of the country that you’re in. Some provide a temporary phone number to match that of the country’s number. Some the people use are Airalo or Holafly.
Mobile Hotspot
A mobile hotspot functions the same way as an eSIM, using the cellular data of the country that you’re in, but it’s a physical item that you can carry with you and it could be used with multiple devices (and some can be used as a portable charger). Some mobile hotspots I recommend: Solis Lite (I personally used this), Sapphire 3, or GlocalMe.
Pros and Cons
Pros of an International Phone Plan:Â
- You don’t have to use other brands of things and can go with what’s familiar.
Cons of an International Phone Plan:Â
- May be more pricey than other options.
- Can only use it on the device you have the plan with (so no laptop or tablet).
Pros of an eSIM:Â
- It will already be on your phone/no extra items to carry.
- Most likely faster speeds using local data.
Cons of an eSIM:
- Can’t use with multiple devices.
Pros of mobile hotspot:
- Most likely faster speeds using local data.
- Can be used with multiple devices.
- Can double as a portable charger.
Cons of mobile hotspot:
- Another item to carry around and charge.
- You have to buy the hotspot, then buy the data plan.
How do you plan on staying connected next time you travel? Let me know in the comments!
