I am planning to travel a lot more and like everyone else I’ll need to stay connected with family and friends.
What is the best product out there to avoid big roaming charges from the three big phone companies while traveling around the world?
The $10-15 a day option is definitely not feasible.
Many thanks!

1. Use an e-sim (downloadable SIM card). The most popular is airalo, followed by HolaFly or Nomad. They all basically work the same way.
Typical price: $20-$30 CAD for your entire trip.
Tradeoffs:
- your phone needs to support e-sims
- E-sims are usually data only and do not come with an actual phone number (for traditional texting or traditional voice call capability). You need to use data based apps like whatsapp, Facetime, etc, to chat or text.
However, airalo has recently started offering the option to include a phone number (based in Europe) with their Global plans.
- It's worth taking a look at who the e-sim is *really* using as a data provider. You can usually click on the country name in the e-sim store to investigate. Sometimes they use smaller providers that don't have as great of coverage.
- E-sims are not perfect. When they don't work it can be really annoying to figure out what the problem is. As airalo has grown rapidly, there have been more complaints recently that their customer service is not what it used to be.
Two common issues I've experienced with airalo:
- If you can't connect to a network, try setting the airalo SIM to manually connect to a network instead of automatically.
- Sometimes you need to manually set the APN.
more info: https://ydeals.com/buying-a-sim-card-for-your-next-trip
*
* or...
2. Use a physical SIM card
Typical price: $20-$30 CAD for your entire trip.
In a region like Europe, physical SIM cards are as ubiquitous as water and churches. They do sometimes come with an actual phone number and traditional texting.
So e-sims in Europe aren't quite as advantageous as they are in other countries where it can be more of a hassle to get one.
And physical sim cards in Europe can still be a better deal than e-sims (some come with a ridiculous amount of data for $20-$30 CAD).
Trade offs:
- you need to hunt one down after arrival (or pre-order one on say, Amazon, usually at a higher price, and a little less certainty that it will work once you get there)
- likely to need a different one for each country (unless you're in Europe)
more info: https://ydeals.com/what-is-the-best-local-sim-card-or...
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* or...
3. Look into products that claim to work worldwide:
skyroam - a hotspot device. The device isn't cheap, and data plans for it are likely more expensive than eSIMs.

Chris it's amazing you took the time to post this

Yoanella and it’s an excellent accurate summary

Mary Ann Marsh check this out.

Amazing.
Thank you so much Chris

Chris that was so interesting- thx!

Chris My wife just got back from a trip to Portugal. I had been in Spain for longer so I was using a Spanish sim she was using airalo. At one point airalo went down for the better part of a day with system problems. Do like all tech ymmv.

Chris, what a wealth of know how!

Chris I couldn't get airalo to work in costa rica and neither could my friends. I had heard it was good though. So ma6be it's just a CR thing.

Lisa It may have been the APN setting not being set automatically. I've found this to be the most common issue any time airalo doesn't work. (The second most common fix is choosing the network manually instead of automatically). It looks like others have complained about the APN not being set automatically in Costa Rica: https://www.reddit.com/.../comments/15pxy7q/help_costa_rica/
*******
The "globaldata" APN did not get automatically installed when the app did it's autoconfiguration. There were no other instructions in the app besides "The APN is set automatically". So this is where I got stuck.
Support agent had me manually create the globaldata APN, then manually select the kolbi network. Restart the phone and it worked.
Lesson learned #1: have support agents available when your app says they are available.
Lesson learned #2: have more detailed setup instructions for the APN in the app, or some troubleshooting steps for your customers instead of just saying it gets installed automatically.
*********
REDDIT.COM
From the airalo community on Reddit

Sean we just got back from Europe. We bought a 10GB for 6 dollars. They had a promo. We looked at airalo but eventually went with FlexiroamX. We visited 3 countries and had no issues.

Chris airalo offers regional e-SIM too. I bought one for Canada-US-Mexico. I liked the fact that I could get it working in Canada before leaving for the US or Mexico. It cost a few dollars more but eliminated the risk of expensive accidental roaming charges that have happened a few times.

Ed Agreed - another advantage of going with the regional sims is that sometimes they support more carriers. For example on a trip to Spain (and only Spain) I bought the airalo 'Eurolink' Europe-wide regional e-sim which supported 4 different carriers in Spain (vodafone
orange, MasMovil, movistar), as opposed to the e-sim for Spain which only supported 1 carrier (movistar).

Esim, we used airalo when we did Europe and Morocco earlier this year and we are using again as we leave tomorrow for Italy, Sicily and Malta. Very easy to use, great customer service and very cost effective.

We haven’t bought on the past couple of trips. Wifi is everywhere. It is the first question we ask when we enter a restaurant and then get online. And we download offline google maps.

airalo, which allows you to buy e-sims on the go:
https://www.airalo.com/
AIRALO.COM
Local and regional eSIMs for travellers - airalo

I just used airalo in Turkey and Switzerland, highly recommend. Really easy esim to use and the price is good.

airalo

Just pick up a local SIM when you land. Almost any SIM in Europe allows free roaming in the rest of Europe. I've no use for an eSIM as I want to be able to make calls to restaurants, hotels etc.

Robert does the local SIM use my current phone plan and simply bypass the roaming charges?
Same number, same data, same minutes?
Thx

Sean no, a local SIM from another country will not have anything to do with your current plan. You may be able to choose if you want only data or a data/txt/calls SIM that will access services from a local provider.

No, one way to think of it is that when you buy a local SIM card you are essentially a temporary short term client of the cell phone company in the country you're visiting on a short-term plan.
Typically with a physical SIM card they'll give you 1-5GB of data and a temporary foreign number for traditional calling/texting and the data and phone number will be valid for 2 weeks to a month (unless you renew the plan on the SIM card)
If your phone supports 2 sims at the same time, you can keep your Canadian SIM card installed, and still receive calls/texts at your Canadian number. *Some* Canadian providers allow you to receive calls/texts while roaming internationally for free.
*But* if your Canadian SIM is active while doing anything that your Canadian provider likes to charge for while roaming, well, that's when you get the big bill at home. And personally, with some Canadian providers, I find they'll use any excuse to charge you while roaming, and find that the only foolproof way to avoid those nasty charges is to remove or deactivate the Canadian SIM altogether while travelling.
That's why most people move to talking or texting via something that's completely data driven, such as whatsapp. And then it doesn't matter when your data provider changes. You can set up whatsapp while at home while on your Canadian plan, and tell people to contact you through that, and then it doesn't matter when your data provider changes to be something else.

Hellen thank you.
This is not as simple as I thought.
So let’s say if I want the same plan I have in Canada, I’ll need a local SIM card plus a local phone plan.
Am I getting this right?

Chris thanks again.
I now have so much clarity as what to expect.

Sean Yes you need the local SIM & Plan but the phone plans there are exponentially cheaper there. Also keep in mind that you will have the associated costs with calling long distance if you are calling to Canada from your European phone #. There is not an option to keep your Canadian phone number other than paying the high carrier fees that I am aware of.

Sarah thank you.
I am thinking I might have to forget about making phone calls unless I am using one of the common apps and stick to email for the duration.

Sean it’s very easy, you just take out your Canadian sim and put in the local one. We’re currently in Italy and paid 30 euros for 50GB of data and unlimited calling and texting. You take out your Canadian SIM so no charges because you’re not using it.
Apps like whatsapp and iMessage give you the option of either changing the default number attached to your profile to the new local one, or keeping your Canadian number. I keep my Canadian number as the default so my friends and family are still able to chat with me.
I’ve been doing this for well over a decade. It is by far the easiest and least expensive option. Most major airports you will be able to purchase a sim at either a kiosk or convenience store. If not then whenever you get into town, just pop into a local phone provider store (like vodafone) and just tell them you’re visiting for vacation and they’ll guide you to the best option.
Hope that helps and happy travels!

Sean The local SIM has nothing to do with your plan from home. You remove your home SIM and replace it. You now have a european number and data plan.

Chris esim behaves the same as physical sim. I'm using one right now. The android os has a sim manager app that let's you choose which sim you want active. There is way too much disinformation on this post with regards to esims. They are just software versions of your physical sim and behave the same way. Mine cost me $10 tp switch over

Steve This particular part of the discussion is regarding physical sims.

Robert yes but to clarify, free roaming in Europe is within the 27 EU countries. Non-EU countries like the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Monaco, Turkiye, etc., are not included, unless specified by the provider

RobertSome of the ex-Soviet countries have an exemption from the requirement to have free EU roaming. The cards are cheaper as a result. Also keep in mind that if some website or app demands you authenticate via an SMS to your home number you’ll have to insert the home SIM and pay. I had 4 such occurrences on the current trip at $15+tax each. If there is a way around it I would like to know it. Also some SIMs are data-only, no SNS.

Spehro I have complained to my banks about 2 step verification for this reason. One of them now allows me to enter a new number when I change my SIM card.

You can use Facebook for free if they have facebook

whatsapp? You can call or text with it.

Jane as long as the other person is set up on whatsapp. I've had no success of calling businesses, etc.

Brian yes, it needs to be someone who uses whatsapp as well.

Janeand Signal, WeChat etc if both sides use it. Skype out allows you to call phones (elders, lost card at your bank etc.) for a reasonable cost per minute (preload) . If you are a telecom wiz VOIP is possible (and you’d look like calling from home perhaps, for the covert DN types) but I’ve not seen it to be worth the hassle of settling it up.

SIM cards from where ever you will be travelling to. . Easy Cheap
You can reload

I just used airalo in Japan and it was great!

Jennifer we’re using it in Spain

Following

Local SIM cards are generally quite cheap. We just buy the local SIM and have moved most of our communication over to whatsapp (or Messenger), so the changing card doesn't matter.

airalo for sure, I’ve used it in Turkey, Mexico, US, Scotland and Peru. Only unavailable country is Lebanon but I doubt you want to travel to Middle East these days

Use what’s app!

Also pick up a sim I do that in Italy all the time!

We used Airolo on our recent trip to Europe - it worked great.

Look into transferring your Canadian number to fongo, then you can receive texts and phone calls at your Canadian number and keep your number. You pay a small fee ($15 for a year, I think) for the messaging service. You’d still need cell service through a SIM or wifi to use it.

Try fonus, you keep your number.

Used Airlo in Ireland and England last month. Didn’t authenticate the Free now app before leaving and had a hell of a time getting a taxi without a phone number in Sligo. Don’t be like me, a lesson I will never forget. But it worked well and I also did a top up.

We just use FB Messenger and whatsapp (for those that dont have FB) to make voice/phone calls or video chats from anywhere in the world there is wifi -and we are seeing more and more free hotspots on every trip.

Depending on where you go just buy a SIM card - this is in Europe

When I travel, I put my phone on airplane mode and use wifi for whatsapp or messenger, it works for me plus I avoid any high roaming charges

TextNow worked well on recent trip. Wifi calling and texting. You can also get a phone number and set up voicemail. I both sent and received calls and messages. You must be on WiFi though for it to work.
Textnow

I’ve used a Project Fi sim from google for several years while travelling and had great experiences with it. I’ve always used it as a physical sim, but apparently you can now use it an esim also if you want.
Pros: - seems to work around the world with no issues (I’ve tried Canada, USA, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, China).
-Already existing billing, no need to search for sims or pay for service when you land.
-phone number, texting and data included
-service can be paused any time for 90 days and basically re-paused right away.
Cons: - needed a US address when I ordered it
-needed to be activated on an android device, but can be switched to iPhone after
-maybe not the cheapest compared to local sims: $20USD/mo for talk and text, data is $10/GB, unlimited data after $60.

google fi has always looked really interesting. I've read that Google doesn't like it if you're not primarily based in the U.S. and then only use it extensively abroad. Not sure if they really crack down on that or what they consider extensive. It apparently works really well everywhere, and almost always at the best available speeds (which isn't always the case with local eSIMs).

Chris I’ve been using mine since February 2018 and had no issues with using it primarily outside the US. I usually travel in the states 7-10 days a year, but not at all during covid and nary a peep from google.

Thanks!

I would also recommend Whatsupp if you don't use it already

I just used Airolo in Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Poland and it worked great!

I used airalo in India and it worked perfectly. Just be sure to buy and set it up before you leave.

You can buy a SIM where you are going to be. In Europe whats app is common and you get a phone number you can use to call only in that country though. Buy at a vodafone store…they can put in the SIM card.

eSIM. This use aíralo. Check my profile for a code for $3 off

Paul Lewis

When I went to Bali I just bought SIM card at the airport they set you up - you have a local phone number and data

Great info!

We used a very affordable SIM card in Portugal by going to a local cell phone store (or could have done so in the airport). I didn’t walk away until it was working! I see all the WHATSAP comments and yes…..but if you need to be accessible full time, that only works when connected to wifi. The SIM card had us connected full time to our loved ones and we used a ton for gps. I’ll never ever ever travel without it again. Chris your comments were right on point. The one thing I learned from another traveller, is newer iPhones do not have a SIM card. Then it’s E-sim!

Three step easy solutions....
Fongo. You can make and receive free calls on wifi or data to/from Canada landlines and mobile numbers. In some countries you may need to use a VPN, lots of free ones that work just fine. Register in Canada before you travel. I highly recommend getting a free fongo number as it means you can call banks, travel medical insurance companies, airlines in Canada, etc
Local sim, available at airports worldwide. Download maps, etc. to use offline. When on wifi, use the data as needed.
When not calling to/from landlines in Canada, whatsapp does the trick worldwide. To keep your Canadian number in advance of travelling be sure to enable two-step authentication while in Canada. If you don't and you install a sim from another country the default will be the number of the sim you installed.

Switch to airplane mode, use wifi and whatsapp.

Just use apps.
whatsapp, snapchat, messenger and even viber. All have calling options. You can use hotel wifi to make these calls.

Alvira I’ll be using my gps apps quite often plus needing to make phone calls.
Business numbers are hardly reachable via whatsapp, signal, telegram….
So the eSIM or a SIM card seems to be the best option

Fyi, there is an app called offline gps that you can download and use without internet. Even with regular gps, if you set it up using wifi and then dont touch it again you can go all the way to your destination without internet.
There are apps that allow phone calls via wifi. Just google it and you might find something that works for you.

airalo, you can use referral ALEX0163

It depends where you’re going. We’ve only traveled to Iceland and the USA. In Iceland I rented a portable wifi for a few dollars a day. In the USA I added USA roaming to my virgin plan, it wasn’t too expensive. The Icelandic company is Trawire.

Just use whatsapp and WiFi

Lots of info!

I also use airalo (just came back from belgium and previously used it in the azores). It is hassle free, but data only - u would have to purchase minutes if u want to be able to call. Also airalo offers regional e-sims so if u r travelling to multiple parts of europe, rather than getting a local sim in each country, the regional e-sim would work across those countries and it is only very marginally more expensive - usually 4.5$ usd for 1gb one country and $5usd for a regional 1gb (there are larger data packs as well). I have a discount code GLO3270 for $3 usd off!

Mobile wifi is a great option. Works everywhere. Used “3” in EU, telstra in Aus. Same small Huawei hand held device and I’ve had it for 6 yrs. Just used it in UK and Ireland last month. Local sim was €20 with unlimited data. Plugs into Apple Car Play so GPS on demand.

I used airalo in Scotland this summer. It cost me US$3.50 for 2GB for 15 days after my friend gave me a referral code for $3. Worked like a charm when I wasn’t on wifi at hotels or restaurants.

I tried airalo in Japan. Spent 2 days trying to get it to work before I gave up and did roam like home

I should add that it worked fine for my 2 travel companions, although they had to do a bit of troubleshooting at first

I use airalo SIM. Works really well and affordable. (Referral code: JEMY8791 $3 for you and me).

What’s app

I got an eSim through airalo for France and it’s been awesome. Very easy to set up snd invaluable in getting around for maps and tickets, etc.
only downside we had some banking issues and had to turn of our primary line to phone the bank at home as it didn’t have a phone #. I thought I’d be able to access iMessage but it doesn’t appear to work so I may just have something not turned on. But whatsapp is great.

I'm using mobimatter in Europe. I got 20 gigs which is way more than I need lol. $21 USD for 30 days.
Not sure if referral codes are allowed here, but you can PM for 1 if needed

I got a zoom phone number. It's 20/month and then get local SIM cards. I forward my canadian number to the number zoom gave me so I get all calls. If youre disconnecting your regular line, you can have it ported to zoom.
I have found I'm usually connected to wifi so don't use a ton of data on the SIMs. Just make sure you download podcasts and music before you hit the road.
You have to have a business to set up sms though. Only downfall if you don't have one.

Esim data and Google Voice voip

Yes, the SIM card thing was great. For years I just paid Bell's ridiculous $80 travel add-on for simplicity and now that they have removed that option (and charge $16/day to roam) I decided to finally give the SIM card thing a try on my last trip to Spain. I ended up getting 50gb of data from vodafone for 10 euro (!). Incredible.

Any recommendations for Africa? Tanzania particularly?

Azmina Airtel and vodacom have the best coverage in Tanzania so ideally you'd want something involving either of those carriers. https://www.nperf.com/.../-/223556.Airtel-Mobile/signal/...
^^ For anyone reading this, Google nperf [country name] for coverage maps to see who has the best coverage where you're headed.
airalo for example, uses vodacom for Tanzania.
https://www.airalo.com/tanzania-esim
NPERF.COM
Airtel Mobile 3G / 4G / 5G coverage - nPerf.com

Azmina we used a local SIM card from Airtel, pretty good coverage( voice, text & data) during safaris.

I converted my samsung phone to esim for.my primary number for.voice/data and that freed up the sim card slot. For the past 2 years I bought orange micro cards off of Amazon for around $50 and they come with 20 - 30gb of data and 1000 minutes international calls plus unlimited local calls within Europe. They are valid for 2 weeks without topping up. I loaded the sim card on the plane before landing and it activated automatically on arrival.

Any solution from Cuba?

Miriam https://suenacuba.com/tourist_sim_card_cuba_buy...#
SUENACUBA.COM
Experimenta Conectividad Perfecta con Cubacel Tur Line: ¡Tu Puerta a un Internet 4G Ininterrumpido en Cuba!

Grietje Schwering

I used whatsapp.

We used e-sims through airalo all throughout Europe with no issues.

E-Sim is the best way to go

I just returned from 10 day italy vacation. I used airalo. Basically data only eSIM. If you have a phone that accepts an eSIM then this is a great option for surfing, whatsapp and any other data app on the phone. 5G and very reliable.

I mentioned I used What app,.but many hotels, taxis, agencies,tours, aiabnb hosts also use what app for communication.
It a quick east reliable app.
Phone, txt, video.
Have a great trip.
I turned off data, and put my phone in flight mode .when I arrived.
Another's I'm to use woth what's app works too. It is them configured to not use your one at home.
You will have to switch it back on return.

I bought a uk sim card but am actually using skype more to make international calls- it’s so cheap!

E-sim through airalo if you have a newer phone

Hey, have you tried an eSIM? Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from airalo. Use code ERIC4439 when you sign up or apply it at checkout. https://ref.airalo.com/3vbq
REF.AIRALO.COM
eSIM data packs

Have been using airalo for 18 months without issue

Yldrb Sso see first post.