eSIM = instant, no shop

If your phone supports eSIM you can buy and activate before you land — no queues, no passport copy.

Check your phone is unlocked

A carrier-locked phone won’t accept a local SIM. Confirm with your home carrier before you travel.

Data-only is usually enough

Most travellers only need data — calls and texts run over WhatsApp and iMessage. Skip pricier voice plans.

Match the plan to the trip

A 7-day pack beats a 30-day one for a short trip. Estimate roughly 1GB per day with maps and messaging.

Roaming is the real scam

Your home carrier’s daily roaming fee adds up fast — a local SIM or eSIM is almost always far cheaper.

Airport kiosks overcharge

Convenient but marked up. A city shop or an eSIM bought online costs noticeably less.

Keep your home SIM for codes

Banks text login codes to your home number — use a dual-SIM or eSIM so you keep receiving them.

Coverage beats price

The cheapest SIM is useless with no signal where you’re headed — check the carrier’s coverage first.