Traveling always involves planning, and for the team at GSMArena, this includes making sure we have a reliable internet connection while abroad to avoid roaming fees.
With the widespread support for embedded-SIM (eSIM) on devices like phones, tablets, and smartwatches, getting a travel data plan has become quick and easy. We had the opportunity to test out the travel eSIM services from Airalo and Yesim during a trip to London.
Downloading a travel eSIM plan and having instant mobile data upon arrival is a convenient way to start any trip. It eliminates the need to rely on unreliable hotel or public Wi-Fi networks.
Setting up an eSIM is a simple process, but there are potential pitfalls to be aware of. In this article, we aim to guide you through the entire process, from choosing and purchasing a travel eSIM to using it.
Setup Process
The first step is to confirm that your device supports eSIM. You can check our database for a list of smartphones and tablets that support eSIM.
Airalo offers coverage in 200 countries and regions, while Yesim covers 120 countries. Both services provide local, regional, and global eSIM plans on a pay-as-you-go basis with no contracts.
Travel eSIM plans have varying validity periods and data limits per country. Plans range from 7 to 365 days with data limits starting from 1GB to 20GB. Yesim also offers unlimited data plans at a higher cost, suitable for heavy data users.
While most plans do not include texts or calls, both Airalo and Yesim provide options for virtual international numbers to receive incoming texts for account verifications.
The setup process for Airalo and Yesim is similar – purchase the eSIM plan through their websites or respective apps, then follow the guided setup by scanning the QR code provided.
It’s recommended to activate your travel eSIM before your trip and ensure data roaming is enabled to connect automatically at your destination. Support chats are available if you encounter any setup issues.
Experience
In London, we tested Airalo and Yesim on the O2 network with 5G. Both eSIMs provided instant mobile data upon activation on our devices before arrival.
We purchased 5GB data plans on both services, which worked well for basic tasks like social media, navigation, and music streaming. Yesim’s unlimited data plan is beneficial for heavy data users.
Network speeds in Central London reached peaks suitable for 4K streaming and online gaming on both eSIMs, demonstrating reliable performance.
Conclusion
Airalo and Yesim’s travel eSIMs offer a convenient and reliable solution to avoid high roaming fees. With user-friendly apps and seamless setup, they are ideal for travelers seeking hassle-free mobile data abroad.
While pricing may be higher than local carrier plans, the ease of obtaining an eSIM for multiple countries and guaranteed connectivity on arrival outweighs the cost. Both Airalo and Yesim are recommended for frequent travelers.
If you’re interested in trying out Airalo or Yesim, use code GSMARENA for a 10% discount on your purchase.
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