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August 25, 2025 — 3:00am
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Key points
- eSIMs are built into many newer phones, and they offer connectivity anywhere
- eSIM data usually costs less than from an Australian telco’s day-pass roaming
- Most travel eSIMs are data-only, but apps such as WhatsApp let you make free calls
The eSIM has been a game changer for international travellers. Instead of faffing about buying a new SIM card, and trying not to lose the original, or break that fragile SIM cardholder, purchasing, installing and activating a new eSIM can all be done via an app. Despite its many advantages, eSIMs continue to baffle, annoy and frustrate some travellers. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM lets you change providers without inserting a new SIM card.Getty Images
Short for “embedded SIM”, an eSIM does what a SIM card does, except it’s a dedicated microchip embedded into the phone’s circuitry, and it’s rewritable. Unlike a physical SIM card, which is locked into a single provider, an eSIM lets you change providers without inserting a new SIM card.
Most high-end phones purchased over the past couple of years have eSIM capacity built in. Often these phones can store multiple eSIMs, although you can only have two operating at the same time.
For travellers, they’re super user-friendly and cost-effective. You can usually pay less if you buy a physical SIM issued by a local provider in whatever country you’re in but for most travellers, the convenience of an eSIM makes it a winner. Provided your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked, you’re in the game.
How do you get an eSIM?
You need to buy one from a provider, and that’s as easy as going to Google and keying in your destination. There are dozens of providers, they all work the same way. Find the provider that suits your needs, download their app and select and pay for the eSIM you need.
These providers will often use different local telcos to deliver the data you need to keep you connected. Some work better than others, and it’s worth checking reviews to make sure you’ll have coverage in all the areas you’re planning to visit.
How do you activate an eSIM?
When you buy your eSIM you’ll get either a QR code, an activation code or a set of instructions telling you how to install and activate your eSIM. When you have a Wi-Fi connection, go to Settings on your phone and tap “Add eSIM”, your phone should complete the process. Do this before you leave home.
At your destination, once again with a Wi-Fi connection, go to Settings, then Cellular/Mobile Data and find SIMs. Turn on the eSIM you’ve purchased and choose that as your primary or preferred line for mobile data. Turn cellular/mobile data off for your usual phone number, that prevents you from being hit with huge charges for global roaming.
Next, turn Wi-Fi off and click on an app to see if your eSIM is working. If not, turn your phone off and on again. If you still can’t connect, turn Wi-Fi on again and check if there’s a troubleshooting guide on your provider’s app. If it’s still not working, ask Google or ChatGPT, or contact your provider for help.
Can you make calls and receive messages using an eSIM?
Most eSIMs for international travel will give you data only.iStock
Most eSIMs that you buy for international travel will give you data only. You can’t make calls or receive messages, except through apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Both use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make calls, using a data connection. These calls are free, but both the caller and the receiver must have the same app installed. Also, the caller must have the receiver listed as a contact.
However, some providers sell eSIMs with voice + SMS, known as true roaming SIMs, and those enable you to make calls and receive messages from any number. For example, the O2 Go Europe eSIM, available through SIMOptions, gives you a phone number plus 10Gb of data which you can use in most European countries for 30 days at a cost of $35.30.
Bouygues Telecom’s My European eSIM prepaid deal gives you 20Gb of data across Europe, unlimited voice and texts and €25 ($45) of voice and text credit to international numbers, valid for 30 days, at a cost of €39.90 ($72). In the USA, the T-Mobile eSIM for visitors gives 30 days of unlimited talk, text and data starting at $US50 ($78).
What about two-factor authentication?
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Two-factor ID is an extra security measure which might involve receiving a text message to authenticate a financial transaction. To receive that message you need a cellular connection to your usual phone number. If you’ve turned your cellular connection off, you can’t receive any messages but there’s an easy solution.
Whether you have an iPhone or one based on the Android operating system, it’s simple to leave cellular on to receive calls and messages and turn data roaming off using the Settings function on your phone. If you’re in any doubt how to do this for your model phone, ask Google, or ask an AI chatbot such as ChatGPT.
How much data do you need per day?
Light users who are checking emails and social media and using a navigation app such as Google Maps might use around 300Mb per day. Enthusiastic posting to social media might up that to 1Gb per day and if you’re streaming Netflix for hours at a time and uploading a heap of images and video to social media you might gallop through 3Gb daily. In hotels I’ll use their Wi-Fi and 10Gb of data usually lasts me for about 14 days.
Navigation apps are heavy data users, but that drops significantly if you’ve preloaded maps. To download a Google map to your phone or tablet, find the map you want, click on your profile image at the top or bottom of the page, click “Offline maps” and “select your own map”. When the map is downloaded (use Wi-Fi) you can zoom in, search and get directions within that area.
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How do eSIM costs compare with data roaming charges from Aussie telcos?
Telstra customers on a plan can take advantage of a Telstra Day Pass to add roaming data, calls and SMS to their mobile plan. The Day Pass can be activated in almost 90 countries at a cost between $5-10 per day, depending on where it’s being used. In most of those countries you’ll get 2Gb of data per day plus unlimited calls and SMS to standard international numbers.
Optus has a similar plan, with 5Gb of daily data for $5 per day. Vodafone’s $5 per day international roaming doesn’t have a daily data allowance, instead it lets customers use the data, call minutes and SMS included in their eligible plan to be used overseas.
Jetpac and Airalo are my go-to providers for global roaming data. For my next trip, 20 days in India, I’m starting out with a 10Gb data pack. Airalo’s price is $38, Jetpac’s is $35 so I’m going with that. Based on 14 days of usage, I’m paying $2.50 per day, so quite a lot less than I’d be charged from an Aussie telco for their $5 per day global roaming.
Plan on using your Aussie provider’s plan for international roaming? A cautionary tale
On a brief transit stop in Dubai, Traveller reader Rakesh Sahore of Lindfield, NSW, used his phone to make calls for about 15 minutes using WhatsApp, and came home to a $500 charge. Sahore had previously used Vodafone’s $5 a day international roaming in the USA, UK and India, but Dubai is not included in the plan. Use your phone in any country not included and you can expect to get whacked.
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Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebickiConnect via email.
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