There are four ways to use your phone abroad: international roaming, a local SIM card, a travel eSIM, and a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Each option involves a different trade-off between cost, setup effort, and connection quality. The right choice depends on your device, trip length, and whether you are traveling alone or in a group.
The Four Options at a Glance
1. International Roaming
International roaming lets you use your existing home carrier’s SIM abroad. Your carrier routes your connection through a local network in the destination country under a roaming agreement — specifically, a bilateral agreement governed by the GSMA AA.12 standard.
The main advantage is simplicity. You land, your phone connects, and your home number works as usual. No hardware changes, no new accounts. This matters when you need to receive calls or SMS on your existing number — for banking authentication codes, for example.
The main drawback is cost unpredictability. Roaming charges vary widely by carrier and destination. Some carriers include a daily or monthly roaming allowance within their standard plans; others charge per megabyte or per day. Confirm your carrier’s roaming rates before departure. Unexpected data charges are a common travel mistake.
Most modern smartphones automatically enable roaming when a home SIM is inserted, but data roaming may be switched off by default. Enable it in your device settings before you arrive, or you may have connectivity issues at the destination.
2. Local SIM Card
A local SIM card is purchased at the destination — from an airport kiosk, a carrier store, or a convenience store. You insert it into your unlocked phone and use a local number and local data rates.
Because you connect directly to the local carrier’s network, you typically get the same speeds and coverage as local residents. Data costs are often significantly lower than international roaming, especially for longer stays.
The trade-off is setup friction. You need to:
- Have a SIM-unlocked device
- Find a retailer at the destination
- Present a passport or ID (required by law in many countries)
- Swap your SIM card, potentially losing access to your home number while abroad
Registration requirements vary by country. Some destinations require biometric verification or device registration. If staying connected on your home number matters — for two-factor authentication, or to receive calls — you will need a second device or a dual SIM phone to keep your home SIM active alongside the local one.
3. Travel eSIM
A travel eSIM is a data plan purchased online before or during your trip. The plan is delivered as a digital profile that you download over the internet and activate directly on your device’s built-in eSIM chip (the eUICC). No physical card is involved.
The eSIM technology is standardized by the GSMA under SGP.22, which defines how carriers remotely provision and manage mobile plans on a device. Once downloaded, the profile typically activates when you land and your device registers on a local partner network.
Setup usually involves scanning a QR code in your phone’s cellular settings. The entire process takes a few minutes and can be done from home before you travel.
Travel eSIMs are typically data-only. They do not include a new phone number. Voice calls and SMS are handled through internet-based apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, or other VoIP services. If you have a dual SIM device, you can keep your home SIM active for calls while routing data through the travel eSIM.
Providers such as Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad offer destination-specific or multi-country plans. Prices and coverage vary by provider and destination, so comparison is worthwhile before purchasing.
Compare travel eSIM plans on SimFinder →
4. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot (also called a pocket Wi-Fi or MiFi device) is a dedicated mobile router you rent before your trip. It connects to local mobile networks and creates a personal Wi-Fi zone that multiple devices can join.
This option suits group travel or situations where several devices need connectivity. A typical pocket Wi-Fi device supports five to ten simultaneous Wi-Fi connections. Since any Wi-Fi-capable device can connect — smartphones, tablets, laptops — device compatibility is not an issue.
The drawbacks are physical: you need to rent, charge, carry, and return the device. Battery life is typically six to twelve hours of active use, so a separate power bank may be useful on long days. Rental services are available from airport counters or through advance booking and mail delivery.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| International Roaming | Local SIM | Travel eSIM | Portable Hotspot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup required | Confirm plan; enable data roaming | Purchase at destination; swap SIM | Purchase online; scan QR code | Book in advance; collect device |
| Ease of use | Minimal — works with existing device | Moderate — requires SIM swap | Low — QR scan only | Moderate — charge and carry device |
| Relative cost | Varies widely; can be high | Low (local rates) | Low to moderate | Moderate; scales with trip length |
| Home number | Active | Unavailable (unless dual SIM) | Unavailable (data only) | Depends on device’s own SIM |
| Connection quality | Depends on roaming agreement | Same as local users | Depends on provider’s local partner | Depends on device’s local connection |
| Group use | One person per SIM | One person per SIM | One person (tethering possible) | Multiple devices on one plan |
| Device requirement | Any compatible device | SIM-unlocked device | eSIM-compatible device | Any Wi-Fi device |
| After the trip | Nothing required | Dispose or keep SIM | Delete profile | Return device |
Which Option Fits Your Situation
Short trip, minimum setup
International roaming is the path of least resistance for trips of a few days where you want zero setup. Confirm your carrier’s roaming rates in advance and enable data roaming before departure. Your home number stays active throughout.
Solo traveler with an eSIM-compatible phone
A travel eSIM offers the best balance of cost and convenience. Purchase the plan online before departure, scan the QR code to install it, and activate it when you land. No hardware to carry, no SIM to swap.
Use SimFinder’s travel search to compare providers and find a plan that matches your destination and data needs.
Compare travel eSIM plans on SimFinder →
Group travel or eSIM-incompatible devices
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot allows the group to share one data plan. This is particularly useful when some devices in the group are older models that do not support eSIM.
Extended stay — one week or more
For longer stays, the cost savings of a local SIM or travel eSIM are more significant relative to international roaming. A local SIM provides the deepest integration with local networks and the widest choice of data plans, at the cost of losing your home number unless you use a dual SIM device.
Checking eSIM Compatibility
Travel eSIM requires a device that supports eSIM. The following are confirmed eSIM-compatible:
iPhone: iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR (2018) and all later iPhone models support eSIM. Note that iPhone 14 and later sold in the United States are eSIM-only (no physical SIM slot). Starting with iPhone 17 (released September 2025), eSIM-only models also became available in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and several other markets. iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 sold outside the United States still include a physical nano-SIM slot alongside eSIM.
Android: Google Pixel 3 and later generally support eSIM, though support depends on the region and carrier lock status. Samsung Galaxy S20 and later support eSIM in most markets. Other Android manufacturers vary — check your device specifications.
To confirm on iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular. If “Add eSIM” or “Add Data Plan” appears, eSIM is supported.
To confirm on Android: go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs (path varies by manufacturer). Look for “Download SIM” or “Add mobile plan.”
If your device is carrier-locked, eSIM from another carrier may not work. Contact your home carrier to confirm unlock status before purchasing a travel eSIM.
Local SIM: What to Expect at the Destination
Requirements for purchasing a local SIM vary by country. Common requirements include:
- Passport presentation: Required in most countries for tourist SIM purchases
- Biometric registration: Required in some countries (Thailand requires biometric verification for SIM registration; Germany requires identity verification — via VideoIdent, PostIdent, eID, or in-store ID check — for all SIM purchases)
- Purchase limits: Some countries limit the number of SIMs a single person can register
- Registration apps: Some carriers require in-app registration during or after SIM purchase
Airport carrier counters and major electronics retailers are reliable purchase points in most destinations. Staff at airport counters are typically accustomed to serving international travelers and can help with setup.
Before inserting a local SIM, confirm your device is SIM-unlocked. Also verify that the destination carrier’s frequency bands are compatible with your device. Band incompatibility is rare for flagship phones, but it is worth checking if you are using an older model or a phone purchased in a region with different band configurations.
Keeping Your Home Number Active Abroad
If receiving calls or SMS on your home number while traveling is important — for two-factor authentication, for example — the simplest approach is to keep your home SIM active in a dual SIM phone alongside a travel eSIM or local SIM.
iPhone 13 and later support two simultaneously active eSIMs (on devices that are eSIM-compatible in the relevant market). iPhone XS through iPhone 12 support one physical SIM and one eSIM simultaneously.
Google Pixel 7 and later support two simultaneously active eSIMs. Earlier Pixel models support one physical SIM and one eSIM.
If your device does not support dual SIM, you will need to choose between maintaining your home number and using a local plan. For most travelers, switching calls to a VoIP app (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, Google Meet) is a practical alternative to keeping the home SIM active.
See What Is an eSIM? for more detail on how eSIM technology works.
Summary
- International roaming: Zero setup. Cost depends entirely on your carrier’s plan — confirm rates before departure.
- Local SIM: Lowest cost for extended stays. Requires SIM-unlocked device and in-person purchase at the destination.
- Travel eSIM: Best balance of cost and convenience for eSIM-compatible devices. Purchase and install before you leave.
- Portable Wi-Fi hotspot: Best for groups and for devices that do not support eSIM. Requires renting, charging, and returning a physical device.
For any trip, preparation before departure reduces problems at the destination. Check your roaming plan, confirm your device’s unlock status, install your travel eSIM, or book your hotspot rental before you board.
Use SimFinder to compare travel eSIM plans by destination and filter by data volume, price, and provider.
Find travel eSIM plans on SimFinder →
Related Guides
The following guides are referenced or relevant to this article.
- How Much Mobile Data Do You Need? — Estimate how much data your trip requires
- SIM & Mobile Glossary — Definitions for terms used in this article
- What Is an eSIM?
- How to Choose a Travel eSIM: 5 Key Criteria
- Your First Travel eSIM: Step-by-Step Guide
- Pre-Trip Connectivity Checklist (coming soon)
- Using Dual SIM for Travel (coming soon)