Traveling is always associated with pleasant expectations — new cities, unfamiliar streets, unusual food. But almost everyone who has traveled abroad has faced the same problem: how to stay in touch.
In the first hours after arrival, many travelers turn on their mobile Internet in roaming, and then — with horror — read an SMS with a sum of tens or even hundreds of euros. Someone looks for free Wi-Fi at the airport or the nearest cafe, but this is not always safe, and the speed often leaves much to be desired.
There is also a classic way — buying a local SIM card. But it takes time, documents and is not always convenient, especially if there is more than one country, but several per trip.
A solution to this problem has appeared relatively recently — eSIM. Unlike a plastic card, it does not need to be inserted into the phone. It is enough to scan the QR code, and access to the Internet in the desired country will open in a couple of minutes.
This technology is changing the habits of travelers around the world. And although many people know about eSIM, not everyone understands how exactly it works and how to choose the right option for their trip.
What is Travel eSIM and How It Works
eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in chip in a smartphone or other device that replaces the usual physical SIM card. It can store several profiles of different operators, and switching between them occurs through the phone settings.
How It Works
The process of connecting a travel eSIM looks like this:
- The user selects an operator and tariff.
- Receives a QR code by email or in the application.
- Scans the code through the phone settings.
- The device downloads the profile and connects to the local operator’s network — through the partner network of the selected eSIM provider.
As a result, the traveler gets access to the Internet without visiting a communications store. Moreover, the tariff can be activated while already in another country.
Advantages of the Technology for Travelers
Here are some benefits:
- speed of activation — everything is connected in a couple of minutes;
- flexibility — you can change tariffs and countries without buying a new SIM;
- security — the QR code can be stored in the cloud and reactivated;
- savings — in most cases cheaper than roaming.
The first eSIMs appeared in 2016–2017, and mass distribution began with the release of the iPhone XS and Google Pixel 2. Today, eSIMs are supported by almost all flagship smartphones, as well as many budget models.
Popular Travel eSIM Brands
Travelers increasingly need stable Internet without unnecessary costs and complications with local SIM cards. Popular eSIM brands come to the rescue here, allowing you to connect to the network before departure, avoid roaming surprises and choose a tariff for specific countries or regions. Below are the market leaders that have proven themselves to be reliable and provide convenient service for traveling around the world.
PrimaSim
A young service that has quickly gained the trust of travelers. PrimaSim offers packages with different duration and data volume, suitable for both short and long trips. Coverage includes dozens of countries, and user reviews note a stable connection even in rural areas. The level of negative reviews is below the market average.
Airalo
One of the most famous and oldest players in the eSIM sphere. Airalo offers a wide range of tariffs for individual countries and regions, as well as global packages. However, due to the large customer base, the support service sometimes has delays in responding, and prices are often higher than those of young competitors.
TooSim
A new but promising platform. TooSim focuses on ease of connection and affordable prices. Users note that support responds faster than many old brands. In terms of package cost, TooSim is more affordable than Airalo, while the connection quality is comparable.
Sailly
A global eSIM provider with a convenient application and a wide list of countries. However, Saily’s rates are sometimes higher, and its offers for individual regions are not always the most flexible.
Comparison of TooSim and Airalo
TooSim, despite its youth, attracts with a lower price per gigabyte and fast support. Airalo offers more countries and global packages, but due to this it loses in the speed of customer service.
Comparison example (conditional data):
| Parameter | TooSim | Airalo |
| Countries covered | 190+ | 200+ |
| Price per 1 GB | from $3.99 | from $4.50 |
| Support response time | up to 2 hours | up to 24 hours |
| Connection stability | High | High |
Comparison of PrimaSim with Others Brands
PrimaSim combines a stable connection, a variety of tariffs and competitive prices. Even compared to large players, the brand looks decent.
Conclusion: when choosing a reliable service with an adequate price, PrimaSim often turns out to be the best option, especially for those who value ease of connection and a minimum number of problems.
Choosing the Right Data plan for Your Trip
When choosing a travel eSIM, there are several key parameters to consider:
- coverage — check coverage in the destination country or region;
- plan type — local or global package;
- data and validity — data volume and package validity period;
- price per GB — cost of the Internet per gigabyte;
- ease of setup — how easy it is to activate a tariff.
PrimaSim offers packages that are suitable for both short weekends and long trips across several countries.
For example, some providers — such as PrimaSim — offer affordable prepaid data packages that work well for both city breaks and multi-country adventures.
When Travel eSIM Is a Must
There are situations when eSIM becomes not just convenient, but a critical solution:
- remote work abroad — for freelancers, remote workers, and those whose work depends on a stable Internet;
- weekend getaway — for short trips when there is no point in wasting time on buying a local SIM;
- backpacking adventure — for long trips across several countries.
Tips to Make Your Data Last Longer
Even the most favorable tariff can quickly run out if you do not monitor your data consumption. This section contains useful tips that will help you make the most of the Internet via eSIM while traveling. They are suitable for both short weekends and long trips across several countries.
- Check phone compatibility — make sure eSIM is supported.
- Use offline maps — download offline maps in advance.
- Track your data usage — monitor traffic consumption in your phone settings.
- Keep your QR code safe — store your QR code in the cloud or in a safe place.
Additionally, you can disable auto-updates for apps and use instant messengers instead of calls to save traffic.
