Travel eSIMs: The phone check worth making before you fly

Imagine arriving at your holiday destination, it's dark, and the crucial instructions for your accommodation are stuck in an email that won't load. Instead of battling for patchy airport Wi-Fi, a simple pre-trip setup could have you connected when you land.

For travellers heading to European city breaks or longer escapes, understanding your mobile data options abroad is crucial. While some UK mobile plans include European roaming, others incur daily charges. This is where a travel eSIM gives you another option to compare before you fly.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card, eliminating the need to physically swap anything in your phone. If your handset is unlocked and supports eSIM technology, you can install a secondary line specifically for mobile data. This allows you to retain your primary SIM and WhatsApp number while using a separate data plan abroad.

The key advantage lies in handling the installation process at home. With stable Wi-Fi and no pressure, you can set up your eSIM before you even leave, avoiding the stress of troubleshooting connectivity upon arrival.

Holafly lets you select your destination and choose a data plan for the duration of your trip. It offers both single-country and regional eSIMs, so it’s worth comparing the two if your itinerary includes multiple countries. Check the plan details if you intend to tether a laptop or share data, as hotspot allowances can vary.

One notable feature is Holafly’s Always On. If you keep the eSIM installed after your plan expires, it provides 1GB of backup data every 30 days in supported destinations, at no additional cost. Unused data doesn’t roll over, so it’s worth checking where the feature works before relying on it. It could come in handy if a cancelled return flight leaves you looking for a hotel, or if you forget to arrange data for your next trip.

Should you opt for an eSIM, follow the activation instructions, select the travel eSIM for mobile data, and switch off data roaming on your primary SIM. Keeping your UK SIM active doesn’t prevent charges for calls or texts, so check those rates separately.

To see if an eSIM makes sense for your trip, enter your destination and trip length and compare the total with what your current network would charge. A few minutes of planning on the sofa can save a fair bit of hassle at the airport.

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