There are three ways to get mobile data abroad: pay your carrier for roaming, buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or install a travel eSIM before you leave. Here is how they compare — and how to avoid the common setup mistakes.
Try the calculatoreSIM vs Roaming Cost CalculatorIs an eSIM cheaper than roaming?→The three options at a glance
| Roaming | Local SIM | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Highest (often a daily fee) | Usually lowest | Low to medium |
| Setup | Nothing to do | Buy in a shop or airport, may need your passport | Buy online, install by QR code in minutes |
| Online when you land | Yes | Only after you buy one | Yes |
| Keep your home number active | Yes | Only with a dual-SIM phone | Yes (eSIM for data, home SIM for calls and texts) |
| Best for | Very short trips, work phones | Long stays in one country | Most holidays and business trips |
A cost example
Say you are travelling for 10 days and need about 8 GB of data. With example prices:
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Carrier roaming pass at $12 a day | $120 |
| Travel eSIM with 10 GB for $18 | $18 |
| Saving with the eSIM | $102 |
Prices vary a lot by carrier and destination, so put your real prices into the eSIM vs roaming calculator. Not sure how much data you need? Use the travel data calculator first.
When roaming still makes sense
- A one- or two-day trip where convenience matters more than cost.
- Your plan already includes free roaming in the country you are visiting.
- Your employer pays the bill.
When a local SIM wins
For long stays in one country (a month or more), a local prepaid SIM is often the cheapest. Expect to show your passport, and remember that you need a dual-SIM phone if you also want to keep your home number active.
Before you buy an eSIM: compatibility checklist
- Your phone supports eSIM. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy phones do — check your phone's settings or the provider's compatibility list.
- Your phone is unlocked. A phone locked to your carrier may reject other eSIMs.
- You have a stable internet connection to install it — do it at home before you leave.
Setting it up so it works when you land
- Buy and install the eSIM before your trip by scanning the QR code or using the provider's app.
- Label your lines (for example "Home" and "Travel") so you can tell them apart.
- On arrival: set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and switch it on. Many travel eSIMs need data roaming turned on for the eSIM line — follow your provider's instructions.
- Keep your home SIM switched on for calls and SMS but turn off data roaming on it, so it never uses expensive data.
Tip for Indian travellers: keep your home SIM active for SMS so you still receive bank and UPI OTPs while abroad.
Bottom line
For most trips, a travel eSIM gives you the best mix of price and convenience: you are online the moment you land and you keep your number for calls and OTPs. Plan the whole trip, including data, with the travel budget calculator.
This article is general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and rates change — check the latest figures with an official source or a qualified adviser. Read our disclaimer.