Updated · 5 min read
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a mobile plan to it, usually by scanning a QR code. A travel eSIM is a prepaid data plan for another country or region that you buy online before you leave.
How a travel eSIM works
- You choose a destination and a plan (data amount and validity) online.
- You receive a QR code or an installation link by email.
- You install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. Your current SIM stays in the phone.
- When you arrive, you switch mobile data to the travel eSIM.
What a travel eSIM is good for
- Being online right after landing: maps, taxi apps, messages, booking confirmations.
- A fixed price instead of roaming charges per megabyte or per day.
- No shop visit, passport copy or queue for a local SIM card.
- Keeping your own number active for calls and SMS, if your phone supports dual SIM.
What it usually does not include
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. They do not come with a local phone number, so you cannot receive normal calls or SMS on them. Calls work through internet apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Signal. Check the plan details: some plans include minutes or SMS, many do not.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 3 onwards and many recent Samsung Galaxy flagships support eSIM. Many budget phones do not. The phone must also be unlocked, meaning not tied to one carrier. Our compatibility page lists supported models.
Quick check: dial *#06#. If the screen shows an EID number, the phone has an eSIM chip. You still need to check that it is not carrier-locked.
eSIM, roaming or local SIM?
Roaming is the most convenient but often the most expensive option outside your home region. A local SIM can be cheap but takes time and sometimes a registration with your passport. A travel eSIM sits in between: bought in minutes, priced up front and active when you land.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a travel eSIM and my normal SIM at the same time?
Yes, on dual-SIM phones. Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS, turn off data roaming for it and use the travel eSIM for mobile data.
Do I get a new phone number with a travel eSIM?
Usually not. Most travel eSIMs are data-only plans. Your messaging apps keep working with your existing number.
When does the plan start?
That depends on the plan. Many start when the eSIM first connects to a network in the destination, others when installed. The activation rule is shown in the plan details.