Travel eSIM guides
Everything you need to know before you buy — in plain English, no jargon.
What is an eSIM? A plain-English guide for travellers
How the digital SIM in your phone works and why it replaces expensive roaming abroad.
Read guide →GigSky Norway eSIM review: tested across a fjords cruise
I ran GigSky's Norway eSIM for eight days on a P&O Norwegian Fjords sailing out of Southampton, from July 25 to August 1, 2026. Three speed tests ashore, one plan run to the end of the trip, and one finding that I did not expect when I bought it.
Read guide →How to set up a travel eSIM (iPhone & Android)
Install and activate your eSIM in a couple of minutes — the exact steps for iPhone and Android.
Read guide →eSIM vs roaming: which is cheaper for travel?
Carrier roaming vs a local travel eSIM — the real cost difference, and when each one wins.
Read guide →Do you need to register ID for an eSIM? Country rules for travellers
Almost no country makes you register an ID for a roaming travel eSIM, but there are some exceptions, depending on where you're going.
Read guide →Can you make calls and texts on an eSIM?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only, but you can still call and text over the internet with WhatsApp, FaceTime, and similar. Here is how, and when you need a number.
Read guide →Does an eSIM change your phone number?
A travel eSIM does not change your phone number. Your home number stays put, and WhatsApp keeps working under it. Here is exactly how it fits together.
Read guide →Can you use a hotspot with an eSIM?
Most travel eSIMs let you share data as a hotspot, but some cap tethering separately. Here is how to set it up and what to check before you rely on it.
Read guide →Travel eSIM not working? Troubleshooting steps
If your eSIM has no data abroad, the fix is usually the data line or roaming setting. Work through these steps in order to get connected.
Read guide →Ubigi UbiClub: how the loyalty program works and whether it's worth it
Ubigi now rewards every data plan you buy through its app. Here's what UbiClub gives you, how UbiCoins work, and where it fits when you're comparing eSIMs on price.
Read guide →Done reading? Find your plan.
Compare travel eSIMs ranked by real price per GB across every destination we track.