Roaming vs Local SIM Card vs WiFi vs eSIM: What’s the best way to stay connected abroad?

The moment you land in a new country, your phone becomes your travel lifeline.

You need it for:

• 🗺️ Maps and directions
• 🎫 Booking confirmations
• 💬 Messaging friends and family
• 🚕 Taxis and transport apps
• 🌍 Translation
• 💳 Payments and travel updates
• 📸 Sharing your travel moments on social media

You’ve got four main options:

1. 📡 International roaming
2. 💳 Local physical SIM cards
3. 📶 WiFi options (public WiFi or pocket WiFi)
4. 📲 eSIM plans
   

All four can work. But for most travellers, an eSIM is the easiest and most reliable choice overall, especially when you choose a trusted eSIM provider like Sim Local.

Let’s break it all down.

Definition: Roaming means you keep your normal SIM card or eSIM and use your home network abroad.

Pros

✅ No setup
✅ Keep your number active
✅ Works instantly

Cons

❌ The most expensive option in most cases
❌ Data can be limited
❌ Charges can add up fast in the background
❌ Speeds depend on agreements with local networks

Best for: Very short trips or if you have a really good package/day pass from your network provider.

Definition: A local SIM is a physical SIM you buy when you arrive to your destination and insert into your phone.

Pros

✅ Local Rates
✅ Strong coverage when you choose local networks
✅ Good value for longer stays

Cons

❌ You need to swap SIM cards
❌ You need to stop using your home SIM (check if your phone has Dual SIM capabilities)
❌ Often involves shops, queues, and ID checks
❌ Not ideal if you arrive late or want instant connection

Best for: Older phones without eSIM capabilities

WiFi can help while travelling, but it usually works better as a backup, not your main plan.

Definition: Public WiFi is available in airports, hotels, cafes, and shopping centres.

Pros
✅ Free (usually)
✅ Fine for quick browsing

Cons
❌ Not always secure
❌ Not always reliable
❌ Often requires sign-ups or logins
❌ Can be slow or blocked
❌ Does not help when you’re out and about

Best for: Checking in at hotels or casual browsing when you’re sitting down.

Definition: Pocket WiFi is a small device that gives you WiFi on the go, often for multiple devices.

Pros
✅ Connect multiple devices
✅ Good for groups
✅ Decent alternative for laptops/tablets

Cons
❌ You have to carry and charge an extra device
❌ Can be expensive
❌ Can be lost or damaged
❌ Collection/returns can be inconvenient
❌ Still not as simple as using your phone directly

Best for: Families or groups who want everyone connected from one device.

Definition: An eSIM is a digital SIM that you install directly on your phone. No physical SIM swapping needed. Not sure what an eSIM is? Read our blog on all things eSIM.

Pros

✅ Fast setup (usually minutes)
✅ Connect as soon as you land
✅ No shops, no queues, no SIM tray stress
✅ Great for short trips, long trips, and multi-country travel
✅ Keep your main SIM active for calls & texts if you purchase a data only eSIM (or opt for a local eSIM plan with data, calls, texts & a local number)

Cons

❌ Your phone must support eSIM (most newer phones do)

Best for: Pretty much everyone who wants the simplest and most reliable option.

Not all travel eSIMs are created equal. Sim Local makes it easy to choose a plan that actually suits your trip. Watch the video below to see why you should choose Sim Local.

Sim Local partners with trusted local networks (such as EE, Three, Orange, AU Japan & many more) so you get strong coverage and dependable data speeds.

Choose the right length and data amount for your trip, whether you’re away for a few days or a few weeks. You can also choose between data-only, or choose a local plan with a new number, calls & texts

Sim Local offer the following type of plans:

• Data-only plans (perfect for travellers who only need Socials, WhatsApp & Maps)
• Unlimited data plans (ideal for students and business travellers who will want to hot-spot)
• Local eSIM plans with data, calls, texts, and a new number

Need internet on your laptop to work or study or do you want to share data with a travel buddy? All Sim Local plans allow hot-spotting.

If you want the quick answer:

• If you want the easiest and best travel experience: choose a Sim Local eSIM
• If you are travelling for 1 day and barely need data: roaming can work
• If your phone does not support eSIM: go for a local SIM
• If you only need occasional connection: public WiFi might be enough (but not ideal)
  

For most travellers, Sim Local eSIM is the best all-round option.

Q. Will WhatsApp work with an eSIM?

A. Yes. WhatsApp will continue to work normally with an eSIM, because it’s linked to your account and uses data or WiFi.

You can message, call, and share photos like normal.

Q. Will iMessage work with an eSIM?

A. Yes. iMessage works over data and WiFi, so it works perfectly with an eSIM.

If you’re using an iPhone with your main SIM still active, iMessage usually continues as normal. You can choose your iMessage line preferance in your iPhone settings.

Q. How does hotspotting work on an eSIM?

A. Hotspotting means sharing your phone’s mobile data connection with another device (like a laptop or tablet). With Sim Local, all eSIM plans allow hotspotting so you can connect your other devices easily while travelling.

Q. Do I need to install the eSIM before I travel?

A. It’s recommended. You can install your Sim Local eSIM just before you fly, then activate it when you land so you have data immediately.