eSIM cards for international travel

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to switch to mobile plans from different network providers. It’s particularly useful if you’re travelling abroad, as you can switch to local data plans. They're often much cheaper than international roaming charges.

And because eSIM cards are digital and built into your device, they also save you the hassle of buying and swapping physical SIM cards.

You can check if your smartphone supports eSIM cards before you order one.

Here’s how:

• For iPhone, go to Settings > General > About, and look for ‘Digital SIM’ or ‘eSIM’ on screen
• For Android, dial *#06# on your phone's keypad and look for an EID number on screen
• For Huawei, go to Settings > About Phone > Show EID, and look for EID information on screen
• For Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager and look for ‘Add Mobile Plan’ on screen

Activating an eSIM card for travel is simple. Simply order and download an eSIM plan for the country you’re visiting. Once you get the activation QR code or details, go to your phone’s settings and add the eSIM as a new mobile plan.

Switch to this plan once you arrive at your destination. You can then start using local data straight away, avoiding high roaming charges.

Yes, you can use your UK SIM card and an eSIM at the same time. This can be particularly useful when you’re travelling abroad. You can keep your UK number active for calls and texts, while using cheaper local data rates.

This means you can browse the web, check your emails, stay connected on social media and much more, without having to pay expensive roaming fees.

Using an eSIM card when travelling abroad lets you access local data rates. These are often much cheaper than paying international roaming charges.

You can order and download an eSIM card in minutes and activate it as soon as you reach your destination. You can then switch between different carriers and plans as you move from one country to another. This means there’s no need to carry and swap over multiple physical SIM cards. And you don’t need to look for local SIM cards when you arrive.

XeSim offers over 200 data bundles for international travellers. Simply choose the country you’re visiting, compare the different options available and find the plan that best suits you need.

Once you’ve chosen your plan, you can order it online, download it onto your phone and follow the steps to activate it when you reach your destination.

An eSIM card from XeSim can last up to 30 days, depending on the plan you choose. When you buy an eSIM, you’ll see how long it’s valid for, so you can pick the one that best fits your trip.