eSIM for International Travel: How Digital Nomads Stay Connected

Ever wondered how digital nomads stay connected while traveling abroad without paying an outrageous amount for an international phone plan? They get an eSIM for international travel.

If you’ve ever taken a vacation abroad and wanted to still make calls, send texts, or use your favorite apps, you probably paid for an expensive international phone plan through your provider. I’m talking like $10 a day expensive! 

But living as a digital nomad means traveling for months or even years at a time without coming back to their home country. In some cases, digital nomads cancel their phone contracts and look for more affordable ways to stay connected. 

That’s where an eSIM for international travel comes in. 

Digital nomads can download an electronic SIM card so that they have mobile data wherever they are, so they can send emails and messages and book their next flight while on the go, without relying on wifi. 

In this blog post, we’re diving into how helpful eSIMs are for international travel, especially for digital nomads. 

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is an electronic SIM card that you can install in your phone to connect to local mobile networks. With remote activation and easy installation, you can buy an eSIM for international travel virtually anywhere, provided you have connection. 

Why Digital Nomads Use eSIM Cards 

Living a location-independent lifestyle means you’re constantly switching places, whether it’s every few weeks or months. The last thing you want to worry about is losing connection because your current phone plan doesn’t offer coverage in the country where you’re visiting. 

eSIM cards are game-changers for digital nomads who are budget-conscious and want to stay connected at all times while traveling abroad. 

Save on International Roaming Fees

Many cell phone companies offer limited international plans where customers can pay a daily rate for a set amount of minutes or gigabytes. However, these plans can be quite expensive, costing a minimum of $10 per day. And for digital nomads who spend months abroad at a time, that just won’t work. 

With an eSIM for international travel, digital nomads can spend much less for more data. And if they run out of data on their current plan, it’s super easy to top up!

Stay Connected Anywhere

Whether you’re working from a cafe with unreliable wifi (we’ve all been there!) or on a train to your next destination, it’s super important that your phone has data so you can stay connected. 

How else would digital nomads be able to work remotely so seamlessly without an eSIM to help them stay connected no matter where they are in the world?

Fast and Easy Activation

It takes less than five minutes to install and activate an eSIM for international travel. Yes, you read that right! 

Digital nomads can remotely activate an eSIM for international travel—even while they are already abroad. That means no waiting in line at a local phone store when you arrive after a long flight or handing over your passport and signing a bunch of paperwork. 

Hotspot Capability

Some eSIM plans offer hotspot capability for digital nomads who enjoy working from cafes, parks, or other remote destinations that might not offer wifi connection. 

With Holafly’s new Unlimited Global Plan (the first monthly eSIM subscription that covers 170+ countries, digital nomads can activate their hotspot and enjoy limitless data and connection. 

Pro Tip: Use code NOMADSEMBASSY to get 10% off your first 12 months of Holafly Plans! 

How to Choose an eSIM for International Travel

There are a ton of eSIM card providers out there for digital nomads to choose from. That’s exactly why it’s so important to know what to look for when choosing the right eSIM for your international lifestyle. 

Search Coverage in Your Region

The first thing to look for is that the eSIM you’re planning to get offers coverage in the country or region where you’ll be spending your time. Many eSIM plans offer coverage in one country or a group of countries in the same area of the world. 

So, if you plan to stay for a month in Europe, you’ll want a 30-day eSIM that covers the countries you’ll visit. If, after that month, you plan to go to Southeast Asia, you’ll have to look for another eSIM with coverage in that region to make sure you’re connected. 

Or you can get a Holafly Plan, which offers coverage worldwide, without ever having to get a new eSIM based on your location.  

Choose the Right Data Plan for You

Digital nomads tend to spend a lot of time on their phones and tech gadgets. Whether you’re scrolling Instagram or TikTok for travel inspiration or answering work emails, chances are that you use a ton of data each month. 

When purchasing an eSIM for international travel, you’ll want to make sure it offers enough data for your lifestyle. 

You can see how much data you use by going into your phone’s settings to get an idea of what type of data plan you’ll need. 

Or you can get one of the first unlimited eSIM plans through Holafly! So you never have to worry about using all of your data streaming your favorite show on Netflix or Facetiming with your friends and family back home within the first week.  

Installation and Activation Method

Most eSIM providers have a very similar and simple installation and activation process after purchasing the plan. 

However, before committing to buying an eSIM, especially if you’re already abroad or in transit, it’s important to make sure you can activate your eSIM quickly and through a wifi connection. 

Does an eSIM Come with an International Phone Number?

No, eSIMs do not come with international phone numbers. This is because an eSIM only offers mobile data. However, you can still make calls and send messages through data-based apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Voice, and Facebook Messenger. 

Does eSIM Support Hotspots?

Not all eSIM plans support hotspots. If you need to use your computer in an area where wifi is unavailable or unreliable, then choosing an eSIM card that supports hotspot should be a priority for you. 

While most eSIM cards don’t support hotspots, Holafly’s new global plan does! This monthly eSIM data plan offers either 25 GB or Unlimited GB per month with overage in over 170 countries, while also supporting hotspot capability. 

Is it Worth Getting an eSIM as a Digital Nomad?

Yes! I can’t tell you how many eSIM plans I’ve gone through during my travels as a digital nomad. 

It’s a great, easy, and super affordable way to ensure you’re always connected, no matter where you are in the world, because nothing is more worrying than being in a foreign country without a cell phone connection! 

Do I Need an eSIM for Each Country I Visit?

Depending on the eSIM plan you choose, you may need to purchase a designated eSIM card for particular countries or regions where you plan to visit. 

This can cause confusion and even cost slightly more if you’re always on the move and never using up the data you purchase for one country before moving to the next. 

However, with some eSIM plans, like Holafly Plans, you can get a monthly subscription and have worldwide coverage. No more buying new eSIM plans before hopping on your next flight or leaving unused data on the table. Simply activate one eSIM card and you’re good to go, no matter where you are! 

Worldwide Mobile Data Coverage with One eSIM Plan

Digital nomads who are constantly on the move were either faced with paying for expensive international phone plans or activating new eSIM cards for each new destination they visited. 

That’s all changed with the new Holafly Plans! 

With three membership levels, 10 GB, 25 GB, or Unlimited GB, digital nomads can stay connected worldwide with just one eSIM card. That means when you fly from Europe to Southeast Asia, you’ll have mobile connection from the moment you board to the moment you land—no new activation required!

Check out the new Holafly Plans and claim your 10% discount off your first year with our special code NOMADSEMBASSY.