There are three ways to get a phone working abroad. None is wrong — they just suit different trips.
Side by side
Home roaming
Do nothing, pay later
- Setup
- None — it just works
- Cost
- Usually the highest, often per day or per MB
- Keep your SIM
- Yes
Fine for a short hop if your plan already covers the destination.
Travel eSIM
Buy online, land connected
- Setup
- Install on Wi-Fi before you fly
- Cost
- Between roaming and a local SIM
- Keep your SIM
- Yes — calls and SMS stay on it
The best balance for trips of a few days to a few weeks.
Local SIM card
Cheap, with errands
- Setup
- Find a shop, show ID, swap SIMs
- Cost
- Often cheapest per GB on long stays
- Keep your SIM
- No — you swap it out
Worth it when you will stay for months and want a local number.
The catch with each one
Roaming's catch is the bill. A local SIM's catch is the errand — and the missed bank SMS while your home SIM sits in your wallet. An eSIM's catch is that your phone must support it and be carrier-unlocked.
Quick answers
Can I keep my number with an eSIM?
Yes. Your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and SMS; the eSIM handles data.
Do all phones support eSIM?
No. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy flagships do, but the phone must also be carrier-unlocked.
New to eSIM? Read the installation guide and check your phone on the compatibility page.