Saving costs while traveling can enhance your exploration of a country. You’ll have more money to visit all the spots and attractions you’d want to explore. One way you can reduce your expenses is by switching to an eSIM.
Smartphones with an eSIM chip allow you to store multiple carrier profiles. A smartphone like the Google Pixel can store up to 5 carrier profiles on its eSIM. This allows you to download and install all eSIM profiles you’ll use abroad without depending on your home carrier network.
This article will explore how eSIM helps you save money as you visit all the destinations you want to explore. You’ll also learn how to optimize your eSIM experience and more!
Avoiding tourist SIM markups
You’ll need to stay connected abroad to make and receive calls. Your physical SIM issued by your home network carrier will roam the airspace for international mobile networks for the connectivity you need.
However, your home carrier charges an expensive fee to let you use foreign mobile networks to connect to the internet or make calls. The solution lies in getting a local SIM to avoid expensive roaming charges.
A smartphone without an eSIM will force you to buy a local SIM at the airport and tourist attraction centers. These places inflate SIM card prices, driving the traveling costs up, while your goal is to save more money.
An eSIM can help you avoid paying for inflated SIM card prices in the following ways:
- No physical card: You don’t need to buy a SIM card from third parties who inflate the prices. An eSIM allows you to buy a plan directly from the provider, cutting off the middleman.
- Flexible connectivity: Toggle the eSIM profile you want active ON without spending taxi fare to a kiosk to buy a new physical SIM card.
- Multiple options: You can also compare prices and choose an eSIM carrier with the most affordable plans for the destination country.
Choosing prepaid data plans
An eSIM carrier like Holafly offers data plans in many countries. You can be sure to find out more details about their data plans for the country you plan to visit. For example, they offer data plans for the Canadian market.
Your eSIM carrier will also offer data plans lasting anywhere from 1 to 90 days, ensuring you stay connected for the duration of your stay. This gives you the chance to plan your trip and choose a data plan that is affordable for your trip.
However, you’ll need to download the Holafly eSIM profile if it’s your preferred carrier a day before your trip abroad. You’ll use the procedure below:
- Purchase a data plan: Go to your eSIM’s official website and choose your destination country. Purchase a plan that lasts the duration of your trip, for example, a 5-day plan.
- Scan a QR code: Your eSIM carrier will send a QR code via email. Your data plan activates after scanning the QR code is complete. Therefore, you’ll scan this code after arriving at the airport.
- Name eSIM profile: You can assign a name you’ll remember to your eSIM profile. For example, you can name it Holafly eSIM Canada. You also want to choose it for data roaming to prevent your home carrier from charging expensive roaming charges.
Using Wi-Fi + eSIM combo
Your eSIM data can cut travel expenses by preventing your home carrier from charging expensive data roaming charges. You want to learn how to reduce and manage eSIM data usage to ensure you only use it when necessary.
The following tips will help you manage eSIM data:
- Use Wi-Fi hotspots: Connect your smartphone to a trusted public network, like a hotel room Wi-Fi. You can also use hotspots in cafes and other places you trust to reduce overspending on your eSIM data.
- Disable cloud syncing: Backing up files such as photos and videos to the cloud with mobile data can use up all the allocated eSIM data. Disable automatic uploads or set your phone to backup files only when connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Use an Ad blocker: Browsing the web can also drain your eSIM data if a website has many video ads and banners. An ad blocker will conserve your eSIM data.
Avoiding roaming traps
You might unintentionally increase travel expenses if you don’t have an eSIM. Your physical SIM will roam to connect to a local mobile network. Using it for data can expose you to very expensive data plans.
Here are common roaming traps and how to avoid them:
- Pay-per-MB rates: Not purchasing a data plan can lead to your carrier charging you a fee per MB consumed browsing the internet or watching videos. Purchase an eSIM data plan and set your eSIM for data.
- Data throttling: Many eSIM carriers offer unlimited data for each plan they offer. However, the plans come with a data threshold (1GB per day for most eSIMs), and reaching this limit reduces your internet speed significantly. Don’t exceed this threshold for high-speed internet.
- App activity: Some apps may back up files automatically, increasing your eSIM data usage. Your smartphone allows you to set it to only use data when actively using the app, not background data consumption.
Monitoring usage in real-time
Tracking data usage can be a great way to manage eSIM data and ensure you don’t deplete the allocated data volume per day. You can use the digital tools below to monitor data usage in real time:
- Samsung Data Saver: Samsung smartphones have this built-in app to help you track your data usage.
- iOS Cellular Data Settings: At the same time, iPhone users can use this built-in app to track how mobile apps consume data.
- NetGuard: You can use this mobile app on any operating system to monitor data consumption and block apps from using mobile data.
An eSIM will help you save on cost as you explore any country by giving you access to affordable local data plans. You can install and activate an eSIM carrier profile upon arrival in the country to optimize data plan duration. Activating the eSIM plan earlier will reduce the hours you’ll spend connected to the internet.