Staying connected on holiday is now easier than ever, but one of the worst things that can happen after you come home from some amazing travel adventures, is being hit with ridiculous roaming charges.

Although some providers will advertise their roaming charges start from as little as $5 AUD day, if you’re away for a backpacking trip or extended vacation, really just more than a few days, this will soon rack up into the $100s. To top it off, the connectivity is not always the best either in most countries!

Travel SIMs, both physical and eSIMs, offer budget-friendly alternatives for mobile data while you explore. They are often more functional than home provider roaming and definitely, more affordable.

We’ve done the research on travel eSIMs and physical SIMs and made a comparison on our top 5 travel SIMs to help you choose the best option. So that you can get to having fun on your travels, without worrying about staying connected or paying hefty charges!

A quick note before you dive in; for e-SIMs you need to check if your phone is compatible (most new-ish phones are). To do this, you can check your phone’s settings or look for an EID number: 

• iPhone: Go to Settings, then Mobile. If you see “Add eSIM” in blue text under SIMs, your phone is eSIM compatible.
• Android: Go to Settings, then About phone. If you see EID information, your phone is eSIM compatible

Airalo (eSIM)

Price: ★★★★☆ (Prices are listed in USD!)
Functionality: ★★★★★
Available Regions: 190+ countries

Best for: Travelers with unlocked phones looking for affordable data.

Why it’s great: Airalo’s global eSIM allows for data purchase and activation through an app, making it convenient for people who want to avoid swapping physical SIM cards.

Price: Data packages start at $4.50.

Pros:

• Global coverage and simple setup and management with the Airalo app
• Ideal for trips to Asia, Europe, and other international destinations.
• No need to remove your physical SIM (if phone is compatible).
• Regional and global packages offer flexible data options for multi-country trips.
• Refer-a-friend program that’ll give you credits towards data plans, so if you are travelling with others this can save you $$$.

Cons:

• Data-only plans. For calls and SMS, you’ll need to rely on apps like WhatsApp or Skype or other messenger apps.
• Requires e-SIM compatibility (is not a physical sim).
  

Get Started with Airalo now and use the code BEC8779 for $3 off to get you started!

Nomad (eSIM)

Price: ★★★★☆ (Again, prices listed in USD)
Functionality: ★★★★★
Available Regions: 100+ countries

Best for: Digital nomads and tech-savvy travelers.

Why it’s great: Nomad eSIMs are available globally with flexible, prepaid data plans. It’s convenient for travelers who prefer not to change physical SIMs and need data for short or long stays.

Price: Data plans start around $5 for select countries.

Pros:

• Affordable plans with good coverage – some of which beat Airalo prices.
• Simple purchasing and managing of eSIMs with the Nomad app.
• Good choice for travellers heading to Europe, North America, Oceania and parts of Asia.
• Earn points to use as discounts towards your next purchase.
• Also has a refer-a-friend program, which can save you $$$.

Cons:

• Again data-only, no calls or SMS plans available and will need to rely on other messenger services.
• Not as widely available as Airalo, so it may not cover more remote regions.

Check out Nomad here and use code REDBEDSAFJB for $7 off your first purchase.

SIMCorner (Both)

Price: ★★★★☆(Prices listed in AUD)
Functionality: ★★★★☆
Available Regions: Worldwide, with a focus on Europe, the USA, and Asia.

Best for: Travelers needing high-data packages.

Why it’s great: Known for great value on data packages, SimCorner has tailored travel SIMs for individual countries or regions, offering unlimited data plans in some areas.

Price: From around $20 depending on the destination.

Pros:

• Provides physical SIMs that can be delivered to your door before you leave Australia.
• Affordable data, call, and SMS packages.
• Offers both physical sim and eSIM options.
• Particularly useful if you need a physical SIM for multiple uses like voice calls.

Cons:

• Shipping takes time, so you need to order ahead of your trip.
  

Get connected now with SIMCorner!

TravelSIM (Both)

Price: ★★★☆☆(Multiple currencies)
Functionality: ★★★★☆
Available Regions: 200+ countries

Best for: Short-term travelers or infrequent travelers.

Why it’s great: TravelSIM provides competitive international rates and can be used in over 100 countries. They also offer a range of prepaid data plans, making it great for short-term trips.

Price: SIM card costs around $25, with different plan options.

Pros:

• Physical SIMs are delivered to you pre-activated.
• Express shipping to US.
• Helps choose the right SIM for your trip.
• 14 day 100% money back guarantee!
• Multiple currencies to purchase in meaning no exchange rates!
• Competitive rates for calls, texts, and data, which can be convenient for long trips where voice and SMS are needed.

Cons:

• Physical SIMs are less flexible compared to eSIMs, and the data packages can be more expensive.

Prepare for your next trip with TravelSIM!

Revolut (eSIM)

Price: ★★★☆☆ (Currency is dependent on your account location)
Functionality: ★★★★★
Available Regions: 30+ countries (focus on Europe and the US)

Best for: Revolut users or frequent budget travelers.

Why it’s great: Revolut, known for its banking services, now offers eSIM options directly through their app. It’s a good addition for Revolut customers who want to combine travel banking with connectivity.

Price: Plans start at around $3 for data packages.

Pros:

• Very convenient for travellers using Revolut for travel spending – you can manage your eSIM within the same app.
• Easy to set up and offers relatively competitive rates, especially in Europe.
• Banking feature has a referral program!

Cons:

• Data-only, no calls or SMS plans available.
• Some of the plan rates are more expensive than Nomad or Airalo.
• New product with limited coverage, so it’s not ideal for global travel. Having said that, Revolut will likely expand their coverage in the future.

For all your practical travel needs, get started with Revolut!

eSIMs vs. Physical SIMs: Which One is Right for You?

eSIMs Pros:

• Convenience: No need to swap out your current SIM; just download the eSIM profile.
• Instant Activation: You can purchase and activate an eSIM right before or during your trip.
• Data-Focused: Ideal for travellers who rely on data for navigation, social media, and communication apps.

eSIMs Cons:

• Data-Only: Most eSIMs, like those from Airalo and Nomad, are data-only, so you’ll need to use apps for voice and SMS.
• Device Compatibility: Not all devices support eSIMs, though most newer smartphones do.

Physical SIMs Pros:

• Call and SMS Availability: Physical SIMs often offer voice, text, and data, which can be useful for travelers needing to make local calls.
• No Compatibility Issues: Works with any unlocked phone, even older models.

Physical SIMs Cons:

• Inconvenience: You have to swap out your current SIM, risking losing it, and you’ll need to keep track of multiple cards.
• Shipping and Delivery: You’ll need to order in advance, and the SIM will need to be shipped to you before departure.

Which Travel Sim Should You Choose?

For most travellers, simply choosing to go for a travel sim, over home provider roaming plans, can really save you money. But, here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:  

• For longer travels: going for an e-SIM from Airalo or Nomad is more than likely the best choice. Check price plans for both apps depending on your destination to get the best deal. Both providers offer flexibility, instant setup, and broad coverage without the hassle of obtaining and managing a physical SIM card. Just remember to check compatibility first!
• For all-in-one simplicity: if you’ve checked out our post on Multi-Currency Travel Cards and like the look of Revolut (it’s one of our favourites), going for their e-SIM certainly streamlines your travel experience into one app. Furthermore, Revolut has some cool little extras to purchase – such as lounge passes.
• For travellers that need calls/texts: a SIM like SIMCorner or TravelSIM is a solid choice, just bear in mind you’ll need to swap out your regular SIM card and won’t receive calls and texts. If you have a second phone or dual-sim functionality you can get around this.

Whichever travel sim you choose, know that at the end of the day it doesn’t matter all too much, because chances are you’ve already saved some money by not using your providers roaming option!

As always, Happy travels and enjoy your affordable connectivity!