Mobile Data Abroad: How to Stay Connected Anywhere
Discover the best mobile data abroad solutions and eSIM tips to stay connected while traveling.
Finding internet abroad can be such a headache. Lucky for you, I’ve got a couple of solid solutions, especially if you’re French like me. I’ve got the ultimate tip so you never have to stress about data again.
The first time I went to Indonesia, I had to buy a local SIM card on the spot, and I still remember the stress of landing after 20 hours of travel, having to dodge the 10 different SIM card vendors at the airport because it’s an absolute scam, then finding a taxi and somehow negotiating a ride with a detour to buy a SIM card, only to end up at the driver’s friend’s shop paying the exact same price as at the airport. Good news, you don’t have to buy a local SIM anymore, unless your phone is too old to support an eSIM, in which case I’m sorry but you’ll have to figure something else out. These days I go back to Indonesia a lot more relaxed thanks to my eSIM, you can see what that trip actually looked like in my Nusa Lembongan guide.
The Holy Grail: eSIM
What is eSIM? An eSIM is simply a digital version of a physical SIM card that lets you connect to local networks abroad without swapping cards. You can keep your original SIM active for calls while using the eSIM for data.
The eSIM is this incredible invention that lets you get a data plan straight from your phone in pretty much every country in the world, from the comfort of your own home, before you even leave. No more wandering around the airport trying to find your way or stressing because you don’t have internet.
You can schedule when your plan starts, choose how many days or how much data you need, and even plan ahead if you’re visiting more than one country. It’s a genuinely great way to avoid headaches at the start of your trip.
It’s honestly amazing. I used it in Mexico because that destination wasn’t covered by my French phone plan yet, which is my go to magic solution and I’ll get back to that in a minute, so I got an eSIM through Yesim. That’s actually the eSIM I used during my month in Mexico, you can read about that trip in my Sayulita travel guide.
Why choose Yesim? Worldwide coverage in over 200 destinations, no roaming fees so you save money on international data, fast setup so you can activate it anywhere with internet, a more secure connection than public WiFi, and 24/7 support whenever you need help.
How to get connected: pick your data plan on the Yesim website, order your eSIM based on your destination, install it by following the instructions in your confirmation email, and start browsing once it’s activated. That’s it, you’re good to go.
Get 15% off your first Yesim eSIM with my code SKYVINE15
For my fellow French travellers
This second solution is going to make your day. Most of the time, I don’t even use an eSIM or a local SIM, because my French phone plan works pretty much everywhere I travel and, honestly, it’s incredible.
I’m currently using the Sosh Travel 200GB 5G plan for €15.99/month, with no contract. It includes 200GB in France and 40GB of data from up to 135 destinations worldwide, including Europe, the UK, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many more. You also get unlimited calls and texts in Europe and French overseas territories, making it a fantastic option if you’re constantly moving between countries.
Honestly, the list of covered destinations is massive, and I’ve never come close to using all 40GB while travelling. For longer trips or heavier data usage, I simply switch to an eSIM in the countries where it’s cheaper or when I need more data. It’s the perfect combination and has saved me a lot of money over the years.
For the past 4 years, I was using the Free 5G+ plan, and I have to say, it was one of the best options for travellers. The biggest advantage with Free is that you can call and send texts to French numbers from abroad without worrying and you get a 35GB data allowance usable in over 115 destinations, including 4 new additions (Vietnam, Tanzania, Moldova, Palau) plus all the usual favorites like Europe, Senegal, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the UAE, Switzerland, Australia, the US, Canada, Thailand, Turkey, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, and more.
And if you’re really off the grid and need to share your connection with others, there’s also a newer unlimited plan for both France and abroad at €29.99/month.
I’ve been using the Free 5G+ Plan for 4 years now and only ran into one issue, which was entirely my own fault. I had a layover in Tahiti and just assumed it was obviously part of the 115 covered destinations. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t, and I paid the price for my own stupidity: 75 euros for one text message telling my boyfriend I’d landed in Tahiti. Let’s just say stupidity comes at a cost. The good news? Tahiti is included with my Sosh plan now, so at least I won’t make that expensive mistake twice.
Go for it, these plans are an absolute game changers.
Bonus tip: Save money on your phone plan with iGraal
If you’re signing up for a new phone plan, don’t forget to check iGraal first.
iGraal is a free cashback platform that gives you money back when you shop through its partner websites. Right now, Sosh offers €7.50 cashback on every eligible mobile plan purchase when you activate cashback through iGraal before completing your order. It only takes a few seconds and can be an easy way to reduce the cost of your new plan.
As a new member, you can also receive a €5 welcome bonus after spending at least €10 (including VAT) with iGraal partner merchants within 90 days of signing up.
And if you travel often, iGraal can save you money there too. You can earn cashback on flights, hotels, car rentals, and many travel websites. If you’re looking for even more ways to cut the cost of your trips, check out my article on 10 tips to find cheaper flights.
