I’ve been to over 90 countries, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that staying connected while traveling shouldn’t be expensive. In the old days I enjoyed being disconnected (and sometimes still do) but it can be a pain when you're running late for a plane or train or even trying to find the highest rated restaurant.
What Are Your Options When Traveling?
When you land in a new country, you’ve basically got 4 ways to get mobile data:
1. Stick with your U.S. carrier
T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon do offer international roaming now—but it usually only benefits you if you’re already on their premium (read: expensive) plans. Even then, you might get hit with slow data speeds, roaming caps, or surprise fees.
2. Buy a local SIM card
It’s often cheap, but it’s a hassle. You’ll need to find a kiosk, show your passport, and fiddle with swapping SIM cards—sometimes in the middle of a crowded airport.
3. Use hotel/Airbnb Wi-Fi only
Free? Sure. Reliable? Not always. And forget using Google Maps, ride apps, or translation tools when you’re out and about.
4. Use a travel eSIM
This is the sweet spot—instant, affordable, and works before you even leave the airport.
What’s a Travel eSIM?
A travel eSIM is a digital SIM you can activate without needing to visit a store or swap a physical SIM card. Just buy a data plan online, scan a QR code, and boom—you’re connected. It works in most newer phones, including iPhones, Google Pixels, and many Samsungs. The best part (besides the price) is that you can be setup and good to go as soon as the plane lands. You don't even have to wait until the terminal or search for a kiosk in the city center. You're connected immediately.
But What About T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon?
Look, I’ve used them. And yeah—T-Mobile, AT&T, and even Verizon have finally opened up international roaming plans. But here’s the catch:
- You usually have to be on their top-tier, most expensive plans to get decent international access.
- Even then, data speeds are often throttled, or coverage is spotty.
- If you’re not already on a premium plan, it’s often not worth the upgrade just for a short trip.
Sometimes it does make sense to stick with your existing plan. But cost is almost always the deciding factor—and that’s where eSIMs win, every time.
Also, a story for another time is, Google Fi (and others can do this too) kicked me off their service and blocked me WHILE abroad! All because I was outside the US for more than 6 weeks straight.
Why I Recommend Travel eSIMs (Especially This One)
If you're like me—hopping countries, keeping it flexible, and watching every dollar—travel eSIMs are the move. And my go-to source is MobiMatter (← that's my affiliate link, and using it supports the site!).
Here's why:
✅ Instant data in 190+ countries
✅ No sneaky fees or surprise roaming charges
✅ Super affordable—as always I've done the research and tried (almost) every company out there
✅ You keep your regular number active while using data abroad
✅ Works with your phone’s dual SIM features
Real Talk from a Frequent Flyer
I’ve used eSIMs in places like Morocco, Vietnam, Armenia, and everywhere in between. It’s fast, reliable, and cheaper than anything the U.S. carriers offer unless you're on their $85/month+ plans.
If you want flexibility, transparency, and budget-friendliness (without the stress), give MobiMatter a shot.
TL;DR
- eSIMs = cheaper, easier, no roaming drama
- Works in most phones. No physical SIM needed.
- I use MobiMatter frequently
Happy travels,
—Brady
BudgetBrady.com | 90+ countries and counting
