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. 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.
Most post-2018 smartphones are eSIM compatible, but you will need to make sure you’re .
