Before every trip comes the same question: how will I get online when I land? There are three main options. Here's how they compare, honestly, including when an eSIM isn't the right choice.
The quick comparison
| Roaming with your carrier | Local SIM card | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often the most expensive (day passes add up fast) | Usually the cheapest per GB | Good value; you pay upfront and set your limit |
| Setup | None, it just works | Find a shop, show your passport, swap SIMs | Buy online and scan a QR code before you fly |
| Online when you land? | Yes | Only after you've found a shop | Yes |
| Keep your number? | Yes | Not easily (you swap your SIM out) | Yes, your home SIM stays in |
| Multi-country trips | Depends on your plan | A new SIM in every country | One regional or global eSIM |
| ID or registration | No | Often required | No |
Roaming: easy, but watch the bill
Roaming means using your normal SIM abroad on a partner network. It's effortless, because nothing changes. But outside of included allowances, it can get expensive quickly: carrier day passes often cost $10 or more per day, and pay-as-you-go roaming can be eye-watering.
Roaming makes sense when:
- Your plan already includes free or cheap roaming where you're going. For example, EU mobile plans include "roam like at home" across the EU/EEA.
- It's a very short trip, and convenience matters more than cost.
- You need your home number for calls and texts all day.
Local SIM cards: cheap, but fiddly
Buying a SIM from a local network usually gets you the most data for the money. The trade-offs: you have to find a shop (sometimes not until the day after you arrive), many countries require passport registration, and you lose access to your home number while your own SIM is out. On a multi-country trip, you'd repeat the process at every border.
A local SIM makes sense when:
- You're staying a long time in one country (a month or more).
- You need a local phone number (for example, for local deliveries or bookings).
- Your phone doesn't support eSIM.
Travel eSIMs: the best of both (for most trips)
A travel eSIM is a data plan you download onto your phone's built-in digital SIM. You buy it online, scan a QR code before you leave, and it connects when you land. Your home SIM stays in your phone, so you keep your number for calls, texts and bank codes, while the eSIM handles data.
An eSIM makes sense when:
- You want to be online the moment you land: maps, taxis, messages.
- You're visiting several countries. A regional plan like Europe or a Global eSIM covers them on one plan.
- You want to know the cost upfront, with no surprise bill when you get home.
- You're travelling for a few days to a few weeks.
The catches: your phone must be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked, and most travel eSIMs are data only. You still make calls over WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps, or keep your home line on for regular calls.
Tip: The best setup for most travellers: keep your home SIM on for calls and texts (with data roaming off), and use a travel eSIM for all your data.
What about pocket Wi-Fi?
Portable hotspot devices let a group share one connection. They're handy for families with older phones, but they're another gadget to charge, carry and (often) return. And everyone has to stay close to it. For most people, an eSIM on each phone (plus hotspot when needed) is simpler.
The verdict
For most trips of a few days to a few weeks, a travel eSIM gives the best balance of price, convenience and peace of mind. Use roaming if your plan already includes the destination, and a local SIM for long stays in one country.
Not sure how much data to buy? Start with our travel connectivity checklist, or browse all destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?
Usually, yes, often by a lot, especially compared with daily roaming passes. If your mobile plan already includes free roaming at your destination, though, roaming may cost you nothing extra.
Can I use an eSIM and my normal SIM at the same time?
Yes. Most modern phones support two lines at once. Keep your normal SIM for calls and texts and use the eSIM for data.
Do eSIMs come with a phone number?
Most travel eSIMs, including Globbi's, are data only. You can still call and message over apps like WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime.
Is an eSIM safe to use?
Yes. eSIMs connect to the same local mobile networks as physical SIMs, and mobile data is generally more secure than public Wi-Fi.