What is a travel esim and why is it worthwhile?

Today, the smartphone has become essential for travellers. With just one device, we can have several tools at our fingertips, all very useful. With a smartphone we can access geolocalised maps, automatic translators, and more. We can check the opening and closing times of any business, such as restaurants or museums. We can check the weather conditions, look for accommodation that best suits our needs, book a taxi or a train ticket within minutes. If you are planning a trip, don’t leave without an internet connection. Find out what travel eSim is and why it is convenient.

Connecting to the Internet while travelling

When travelling, there are currently several possibilities to connect to the Internet:

Connecting to the Wi-Fi network

One of the cheapest ways to get connected while travelling is to take advantage of the various Wi-Fi networks one encounters while moving around. Today, many hotels and venues offer their guests the possibility of connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi. However, these lines are only available as long as you are in the proximity of the venue. In many cities there are open connection networks, but these generally offer very low levels of security. Moreover, when leaving the cities, it becomes practically impossible to rely on this type of connection.

Travelling within the EU: Roaming

Within the European Union, it is possible to connect to the Internet with your mobile phone using data roaming. You will be able to use your phone as usual, but with data usage restrictions compared to your regular rate plan. Outside the EU, you will have to pay the foreign tariffs of your own operator, with very stringent data limitations and high charges.

Buying a local SIM card

A very practical solution for having a data connection while travelling abroad is to buy a local Sim card. In many countries, telephone companies offer good tariff plans. However, even this option has its limitations. First, if you do not have a dual-sim phone, you will have to remove your sim card from your phone, with all that this entails. Great is the risk of losing many incoming calls, as well as the Sim itself. Moreover, foreign SIM cards do not always guarantee that they can be used as hotspots. And, last but not least, each country has its own local regulations for the purchase of Sims. Different documents may be required and activation may not always be immediate.

What is eSim and how it works

eSim is an abbreviation for “embedded subscriber identity module“. This means that the chip that normally handles a SIM card in new smartphones is integrated directly into their motherboard at the production stage. In this way, to access the net, there will be no need to insert a physical Sim in the smartphone, but it will suffice to activate a digital eSim. For the rest, the functioning of an eSim is no different from that of a classic Sim. Both allow the device to be identified on the network, enabling the activation of a tariff plan among those offered by the telephone companies.

How to activate a travel eSim

Activating an eSim is very simple. Firstly, there will be no need to buy any physical card, which saves a lot of time. You just have to choose the best option for your country of destination. To activate the desired offer, simply scan the QR code sent by the operator. There is no need to remove your SIM card from the device. The replacement operation is done in a few steps, directly from the smartphone menu, by simply activating or deactivating a plan.

The advantages of a travel eSim

The eSim not only offers the possibility of saving time, it has many other advantages. It cannot be lost, it does not break, it is not a waste that pollutes the environment. Choose the eSim that suits you best, activate it in a few steps and use all the giga you need, for the period you want, without changing your physical Sim. Go online, stay in touch with your loved ones, worry-free. Find out more about Forexchange’s eSim service.

Forexchange offers you all the services you need to travel with peace of mind: currency exchange, audio guides, experiences and travel insurance. Embark on a safe and carefree journey!