Compare the Best eSIM for Travel Abroad vs. Carrier Plans

Traveling internationally is exciting, but staying connected can be a challenge. Between navigating new cities, booking trains, and keeping in touch with friends and family, your phone becomes essential. Roaming charges from U.S. carriers can add up fast. Fortunately, eSIMs are a smarter, often cheaper alternative. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best eSIM for travel abroad, comparing U.S. carrier plans (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) with eSIMs, explaining pros and cons, and helping you decide the best option for your trip.

U.S. Carrier International Plans

AT&T International Day Pass

AT&T’s International Day Pass currently costs $12 per day, per line, and covers 210+ countries. Your phone works just like at home with unlimited calls, texts, and data. The main advantage is convenience—no setup or app required. The downside? For longer trips, the cost adds up quickly, and daily charges apply even if you barely use your phone.

Verizon TravelPass

Verizon offers a similar option with TravelPass at $10 per day per line, covering 185+ countries. It provides the same seamless experience as AT&T, slightly cheaper, but still becomes costly for multi-week trips. Some plans may slow down data after certain thresholds.

T-Mobile Roaming

T-Mobile includes international roaming for most Magenta plans, covering 210+ countries. Unlimited texting and data are included, with calls at $0.25 per minute. It’s an excellent option for frequent travelers who want a low-cost solution, though data speeds can be slower, and calls cost extra unless you add an international calling plan.

Why eSIMs Are the Smart Choice

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile plan without swapping a physical card. You download it directly to your phone, making it perfect for international travel. eSIMs are often cheaper than U.S. carrier roaming, quick to set up, and flexible in terms of data packages. Many eSIMs also work across multiple countries, which is great for multi-destination trips. Limitations include data-only plans in many cases, slightly more tech setup, and some plans only working in a single country.

Best eSIM for Travel Abroad Providers

Airalo

Airalo offers eSIMs around $22 for 10 GB over 30 days in Europe. Plans are easy to install via QR code and include some call or SMS allowances on certain options. Airalo is ideal for travelers relying on WhatsApp, iMessage, or other data-based messaging apps.

Holafly

Holafly provides unlimited data eSIMs for roughly $60 over 30 days. Unlimited data is perfect for streaming, navigation, or heavy internet use. Keep in mind that standard SMS and calls usually aren’t included. However, if you are a heavy data user, Holafly might be a great option.

Nomad

Nomad offers 10 GB for about $19 over 30 days. It’s budget-friendly, simple to use, and ideal for travelers who only need basic data. Calls and SMS are generally not included.

Ubigi

Ubigi offers plans from €8–10 for 10 GB in Europe. It provides strong 5G coverage and supports mobile hotspot use, making it a good choice for digital nomads or travelers sharing data across devices.

Sim Local

Sim Local offers country-specific eSIMs like a UK plan for £19 with 30 GB plus unlimited calls and SMS. This is perfect if you need a local number for traditional SMS and calls. It’s limited to the specific country, but it provides peace of mind if you must receive texts from banks or travel services.

How to Choose Between eSIM and U.S. Carrier

Consider your trip length, budget, and messaging needs. For short trips of 1–7 days, U.S. carrier plans may be most convenient. For longer trips, eSIMs can save hundreds of dollars. Most travelers can rely on WhatsApp or iMessage over Wi-Fi or data, but if you need to receive traditional SMS (bank codes, two-factor authentication, or travel confirmations), a country-specific eSIM or selective carrier day pass is better. Coverage and reliability are generally strong with eSIMs in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Your comfort with tech also matters—if installing a QR code and managing dual SIMs is easy for you, eSIM is the better choice.

Quick eSIM and Carrier Comparison

Option	Cost	Data	Calls & SMS	Best For
AT&T Intl Day Pass	$12/day	Home plan	Yes	Convenience, no setup
Verizon TravelPass	$10/day	Home plan	Yes	Convenience, slightly cheaper
T-Mobile Roaming	Included	Unlimited (slow)	Texts free, calls $0.25/min	Frequent travelers, budget
Airalo	~$22/10GB	10 GB	Data only (some plans allow SMS)	Budget-conscious, WhatsApp/iMessage
Holafly	~$60/unlimited	Unlimited	Data only	Heavy users, streaming, maps
Nomad	~$19/10GB	10 GB	Data only	Budget-friendly, simple
Ubigi	€8–10/10GB	10 GB	Data only	Fast 5G, hotspot sharing
Sim Local	£19/30GB	30 GB	Yes (local #)	Traditional SMS + data, country-specific

Hybrid Approach for Travelers

Many travelers use a combination of eSIMs and limited carrier coverage: use the eSIM for all data needs while keeping your carrier SIM inactive with roaming off. Activate the day-pass only on the few days you need to receive SMS or calls on your U.S. number. This approach keeps costs low while ensuring you’re reachable for emergencies or essential messages.

Our Recommendation for the Best eSIM for Travel Abroad

For the easiest setup, we recommend getting your eSIM before you leave. We recommend and personally use Airalo. It’s quick to install, reliable, and lets you stay connected the moment you land. Using a trusted provider like Airalo ensures your data works seamlessly for maps, messaging, and keeping in touch with family and friends — no roaming headaches, no delays. However, one point to note – you can only use an eSIM if your phone is unlocked. (If you are on a payment plan for your phone, the cell will stay locked until fully paid.)

Final Thoughts

For most travelers, eSIMs are the best option—affordable, reliable, and flexible. Use Airalo, Nomad, or Ubigi for data-based messaging via WhatsApp or iMessage. If you need SMS or a local number, choose a country-specific eSIM like Sim Local. U.S. carrier plans are convenient for short trips or zero-setup needs but are expensive for longer stays.

With the right setup, you can stay connected, save money, and travel with confidence. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible, keep your phone in airplane mode, and enjoy the freedom of travel without worrying about roaming bills.