Photo: BwDraco, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The little plastic SIM is on its way out. GSMA Intelligence found that 28.1% of travellers used an eSIM abroad in summer 2026, up from 19.0% a year earlier, and Juniper Research expects travel-eSIM users to pass 215 million by 2028. The reason is simple: a prepaid data eSIM usually costs a fraction of your home carrier’s roaming pass. Here’s how the two compare, and how to switch without losing your bank’s text messages.
The short version
- Roaming: easy, but US carriers’ daily passes run around $12 a day.
- Travel eSIM: buy data before you fly; typical European plans cost roughly $15–45 for a trip.
- Keep your normal SIM on for calls and bank codes, and use the eSIM for data.
- Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-compatible (most phones from 2019 onwards are).
What a week abroad really costs
| Carrier roaming pass | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per day you use your phone abroad | One prepaid data plan |
| 7 days | About $84 at $12/day | Typically $15–45 for Europe |
| Phone number | Yes, your normal one | Usually data only (WhatsApp and FaceTime still work) |
| Setup | Nothing to do | Scan a QR code or install in an app, 5 minutes |
| Best for | Short trips, lots of calls | Any trip over 2–3 days, multi-country trips, nomads |
Roaming price based on the big US carriers’ day passes; check your own carrier, as some plans include roaming. eSIM range from 2026 industry pricing analysis quoted by TravelDailyNews.
Why this trend keeps growing
Three things push it along every year. New phones increasingly ship eSIM-only (iPhones in the US have had no SIM tray since 2022), regional plans now cover dozens of countries in one purchase, and more people work while they travel. A digital nomad crossing three borders a month saves the most: one regional eSIM replaces three local SIM shops and three passport photocopies.
How to switch to an eSIM in 5 minutes
- Check your phone: Settings → Mobile/Cellular → “Add eSIM”. If it’s there and the phone is unlocked, you’re good.
- Buy the plan for your destination at home, on Wi-Fi.
- Install it before you fly, but leave it switched off until you land.
- On arrival: turn on the eSIM for mobile data and data roaming on that line only; turn data roaming off on your normal SIM.
- Keep your normal SIM on for calls and texts, so bank and 2FA codes still arrive.
Mistakes that cost money
- Leaving data roaming on for your home SIM. One background photo backup can trigger a day pass.
- Buying the cheapest 1GB plan for a long trip. Maps, video calls and hotspotting a laptop eat data fast; check if you can top up.
- Deleting the eSIM too early. Many can’t be reinstalled once removed.
Our pick: Saily, with 5% off
Saily (from the makers of NordVPN) sells data eSIMs for 200+ destinations, installs in its app and lets you top up mid-trip.
Saily eSIM code
Indoleads | 5% off Saily travel eSIM data plans. Listed in Saily’s affiliate feed until 31 Dec 2027 · enter it exactly as shown | Get Saily → |
Trip.com codes for the trip itself
Trip.com codes for your trip
| Code | What you get | |
|---|---|---|
TRIPFLIGHT26 | Up to US$15 off your first flight booking. New Trip.com users · listed until 31 Dec 2026 | Open Trip.com → |
triptrain5p | 5% off trains, Eurostar and UK coaches (max €20). New Trip.com users · ends 1 Jan 2027 | Open Trip.com → |
The flight code is for first bookings by new users. TRIPFLIGHT26 is listed on Trip.com’s own promo-code page; the other offers come from Trip.com’s affiliate feed. We haven’t tested them at checkout and Trip.com can change them at any time, so check that the total drops before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?
Usually, yes. US carriers' international day passes cost around $12 a day, about $84 for a week, while travel eSIM plans for Europe typically cost $15–45 for a trip.
Can I keep my phone number with a travel eSIM?
Yes. Keep your normal SIM switched on for calls and texts and use the eSIM only for mobile data. Turn data roaming off on your normal SIM to avoid charges.
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Look for "Add eSIM" under Settings → Mobile/Cellular. The phone also has to be unlocked by your carrier.
How many travellers use eSIMs?
GSMA Intelligence measured 28.1% of travellers using an eSIM abroad in summer 2026, up from 19.0% a year earlier.
Sources: GSMA Intelligence and Juniper Research figures via TravelDailyNews (2026), US carrier roaming pages, Saily, and Trip.com’s promo-code page. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Last checked: 13 October 2026. We may earn a commission from links on this page.
