What is an eSIM — and why travellers use a separate one abroad
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone that you activate from software — no plastic to swap. A data-only travel eSIM gives you a local data plan abroad while your home SIM stays put, so you skip roaming fees and keep your own number.
What an eSIM actually is
"eSIM" stands for embedded SIM — the same job as a plastic SIM, but a chip inside the phone that you program over the air.
Built into the phone
No tray, no tiny card. Most phones from the last few years (iPhone XS onward, recent Pixel, Galaxy and more) support it.
Bought and activated online
Pick a plan for your destination, pay, then scan a QR code or tap to install. Ready in a couple of minutes.
Runs alongside your SIM
Phones can store several eSIMs and run two lines at once (dual SIM), so a travel data plan sits next to your normal number.
Why travellers add a data-only eSIM for a trip
The point isn't to replace your phone plan — it's to bolt on cheap local data for the trip and leave everything else exactly as it is.
Skip roaming bills
Carrier roaming often runs $10–15 a day. A travel eSIM can be a fraction of that for the same data.
Keep your number
A data-only eSIM leaves your home SIM active, so calls and texts still reach your usual number.
Online on landing
Activate before you fly and data works the moment you leave airplane mode — no airport SIM kiosk.
Fixed price up front
You pick the data and the price before you go, instead of finding out what roaming cost you at the end.
How much can an eSIM save you?
Enter your trip length and your carrier's roaming day-rate to see the gap. Then stretch a smaller plan further by using hotel and café WiFi for the heavy stuff.
≈ 100 saved over 10 days
How this is worked out
Roaming = days × the day-rate you entered. The eSIM figure is an indicative ~2/day (in the currency you entered) for data — real plans vary by destination and data volume, so treat these as ballpark, not a quote.
Popular travel-eSIM providers
A few of the widely used operators. We don't sell eSIMs and these are neutral links — compare coverage and prices for your destination before you buy.
One of the largest travel-eSIM stores, with local and regional plans almost everywhere.
Widest coverageKnown for unlimited-data plans — handy if you'd rather not count gigabytes.
Unlimited plansData plans across a long country list, often with competitive regional bundles.
Regional bundlesThe travel eSIM from the makers of NordVPN, with built-in security extras.
By NordVPNLinks are informational and not affiliated. packset.travel doesn't sell eSIMs or earn from these — always check the provider's current coverage and price for your exact destination.
How to set up a travel eSIM
The whole thing takes a few minutes. Do it before you fly so you're online on arrival.
- 1Check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked (Settings can show an "Add eSIM" option).
- 2Buy a plan for your destination from an eSIM provider, matching the data amount to your trip.
- 3Install it by scanning the QR code you're sent, or tapping the provider app's install button.
- 4Label it (e.g. "Travel") and set it as your data line, leaving your home SIM for calls and texts.
- 5Turn OFF data roaming on your home SIM so only the eSIM uses data — then switch the eSIM's data on when you land.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most flagships since about 2018 do (iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, many Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer). The phone must also be carrier-unlocked. If Settings has an "Add eSIM" or "Add data plan" option, you're set.
Data-only, so you keep your number
Running the eSIM for data and your home SIM for voice is the usual travel setup: your number keeps working for calls and texts (pair it with WiFi calling to dodge roaming on those too) while all your data goes over the cheap local plan.
eSIM questions
No. A data-only travel eSIM only carries data. Your home SIM stays active, so your usual number still receives calls and texts.
Usually by a lot. Roaming is often $10–15 a day; a travel eSIM can be a fraction of that for the same data. You also lock in the price before you travel.
Yes — over your home SIM (best paired with WiFi calling to avoid roaming), or over the eSIM's data using apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime or Signal.
Buy and install before you fly, but only switch the eSIM's data on when you arrive so the plan's clock starts at the right time.
Many providers sell regional or global plans covering many countries on one eSIM — useful for multi-country trips. Check the plan's country list before buying.
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