How to Get Internet Abroad
You're heading abroad and need internet. For maps, translation, ride-hailing, messaging home, and everything in between. But how do you actually get it without coming home to a massive bill?
Here are your five options, ranked from worst to best.
1. Mobile Roaming (The Expensive Default)
If you do nothing, your phone will connect to a local network abroad and your carrier will charge you roaming rates.
How it works: Your existing plan "roams" onto foreign networks. You pay per MB of data, per minute of calls, and per text.
Cost: Varies wildly. UK carriers charge around 2-6 per day in Europe, but outside Europe it can be 5-12 per MB. A week in Thailand on roaming could cost 50-100+ without realising.
Pros:
- Zero setup — it just works
- You keep your number
Cons:
- Extremely expensive outside included zones
- Unpredictable bills
- Some carriers throttle roaming speeds
Verdict: Only acceptable if your carrier includes your destination in a free roaming zone (like some UK plans cover Europe). Otherwise, avoid.
2. Free WiFi (The Unreliable Backup)
Every hotel, cafe, and airport offers WiFi. But relying on it as your primary connection is a recipe for frustration.
How it works: Connect to public WiFi hotspots wherever available.
Cost: Free.
Pros:
- No cost at all
- Available in most tourist areas
Cons:
- Not available when you need it most (navigating streets, in taxis, rural areas)
- Often slow and unreliable
- Security risk on public networks
- Can't use maps, translation, or ride-hailing apps on the move
Verdict: Fine as a supplement, terrible as your only option. You'll be stuck without internet exactly when you need it.
3. Pocket WiFi / Mobile Hotspot (The Bulky Option)
A small battery-powered device that connects to a local network and creates a WiFi hotspot for your devices.
How it works: Rent or buy a portable WiFi device before your trip. Pick it up at the airport or have it delivered.
Cost: 5-15 per day rental, plus deposit.
Pros:
- Reliable connection
- Can share with multiple devices
- No changes to your phone needed
Cons:
- Another device to carry, charge, and return
- Must collect and return at specific locations
- Battery dies at the worst moment
- Can't receive calls or texts through it
Verdict: Was the best option 5 years ago. Now largely obsolete thanks to eSIMs, which do the same thing without the extra device.
4. Local SIM Card (The Airport Queue)
Buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive at your destination and pop it into your phone.
How it works: Visit a SIM shop at the airport or in the city. Buy a prepaid card, swap it into your phone, activate it.
Cost: 5-30 depending on country and data allowance.
Pros:
- Usually cheapest per-GB cost
- Local phone number included
- Good speeds on local networks
Cons:
- Need to find a shop and queue (often 30-60 minutes at airports)
- Requires passport and registration in many countries
- Must physically swap your SIM — you lose access to your home number
- Only works in one country — need a new SIM at each border
- Some phones are locked to a carrier
Verdict: Decent if you're staying in one country for a while and don't mind the hassle. Impractical for multi-country trips.
5. eSIM (The Modern Answer)
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into modern phones. You download a data plan before your trip and activate it when you arrive. No physical card, no shop visits, no queues.
How it works: Buy a plan online, scan a QR code, and your phone connects to a local network at your destination. Your regular SIM stays active alongside it — you keep your home number for calls and texts.
Cost: 1.50-40 depending on data and duration. A 7-day plan for most countries starts around 4-8.
Pros:
- Set up from home in 2 minutes
- Keep your existing number active
- Works in 150+ countries
- No physical card to swap
- Activate before you even board the plane
- Regional plans cover multiple countries (perfect for Europe trips)
- Hotspot supported — share with travel companions
Cons:
- Requires a compatible phone (iPhone XS or newer, most Android phones from 2020+)
- Data-only — calls and texts go through your existing number or apps like WhatsApp
Verdict: The best option for the vast majority of travellers. Cheaper than roaming, more convenient than a local SIM, no extra device like pocket WiFi.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Cost | Setup Time | Convenience | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming | High | None | Easy | Your carrier's zones |
| Free WiFi | Free | None | Unreliable | Spotty |
| Pocket WiFi | Medium | Moderate | Extra device | Good |
| Local SIM | Low | 30-60 min | Moderate | One country |
| eSIM | Low | 2 min | Easiest | 150+ countries |
How to Get Started with an eSIM
- Check compatibility — Most phones from 2019+ support eSIM. Check if your phone is compatible.
- Pick a plan — Choose your destination and select a data package that fits your trip length.
- Install before you fly — Scan the QR code we email you. Takes 2 minutes.
- Land and connect — Turn on your eSIM when you arrive. You're online instantly.
