Latest news with #eSIM
Wall Street Journal
16 hours ago
- Wall Street Journal
Traveling Abroad? How to Avoid Surprise Phone Charges and Save Money on Roaming
On your next trip abroad, you'll need plane tickets, hotel reservations and…a cellular data strategy. There's the simple route: Turn on roaming and let your home carrier charge a daily fee for talk, text and data overseas. That adds up quickly. Verizon's Travel Pass went from $10 to $12 a day last year. And that's for each phone in your family plan. Or there's the money-saving approach: Download a prepaid eSIM for a week's worth of data that costs a fraction of the price.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Four simple switches to boost your holiday budget by over €500 this summer
IRISH holidaymakers can boost their holiday budget by over €500 this summer with four simple switches. Holiday costs are rising for Irish 1 Planning holidays often leaves jetsetters going over their budget Due to EU consumer protections like Roam Like at Home and the Single Euro Payments Area, you can travel within Europe without paying extra mobile roaming fees. However, heading to destinations like the United States, Canada or Research from price comparison experts One of the biggest drains on your budget is mobile roaming charges, especially if you frequently use data for maps, music streaming or sharing videos on social media while away. READ MORE IN TRAVEL Irish mobile data passes tend to offer limited data at high prices, with the average cost for a 10GB roaming pass at about €153. Switch to an E-SIM The first tip is to switch to an eSIM which allows you to purchase cheaper data plans from providers like Airalo, Halofly, Nomad or This simple change can save you up to €133, freeing up cash that you can put towards other holiday essentials. Travel insurance is another area where costs can vary and financial experts say it is worthwhile shopping around to find the best deal for the coverage you need. Most read in News Travel SHOP AROUND For example, a couple travelling to the US for two weeks might pay around €100 for a single-trip insurance policy, but prices can differ by as much as €91 between providers. Discounts of around 10 percent are common if you book your policy online and looking at a multi-trip policy could save you even more if you have several Ryanair launches new flights to cheap holiday hotspot Using your debit or credit card abroad also comes with fees and many Irish banks charge around 2 percent per foreign transaction and high fees for ATM withdrawals. TRANSACTION FEES If you use your card multiple times a day over two weeks, these charges can add up to around €56 on transactions and up to €87 on cash withdrawals. Prepaid travel cards from companies like Wise, Revolut or N26 get rid of these fees entirely and offer better exchange rates which helps you to stretch your If you prefer to carry cash, you can also compare exchange rates beforehand because airport currency kiosks usually offer poor rates and higher fees. Up next, flights often end up the biggest single expense on a holiday, but being flexible with your travel plans can lead to major savings for families. FLEXIBLE FLIGHTS For example, a direct return flight to Using websites like Skyscanner to set up price alerts, browsing in incognito mode to avoid dynamic pricing and considering alternative airports or midweek flights can also help reduce costs. He said: 'Holiday costs can spiral quickly, especially outside the EU, but with a few simple switches, you can keep more money in your pocket without cutting back on the holiday fun. 'Whether it's avoiding eye-watering roaming charges with an eSIM, swapping your bank card for a prepaid one, or shopping around for travel insurance, these small changes can add up to big savings. 'A little bit of planning can go a long way, and the more you save on the basics, the more you have to spend on the things that make your holiday memorable."
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
How to avoid roaming charges when abroad
Telecoms experts are urging travellers to check if their mobile plans include international roaming – otherwise they could face charges as high as £5 a day. For a two-week break that comes in at £70 per phone on top of regular mobile charges. For a family of four that's an additional £280 on their monthly mobile phone bill. Experts at are suggesting holidaymakers make use of eSims to bring costs down and make mobile usage overseas affordable. What is an eSim? An eSim is a digital version of a SIM card. It allows users to switch to a local provider without taking out your traditional SIM or changing your number. After landing, mobile users simply change their mobile packing to use the eSim rather than the UK SIM. Telecoms expert Juliet Moran, said: 'Holidaymakers need to be aware of roaming changes both in Europe and further afield and they need to look at ways to mitigate the extortionate cost passed on by phone providers. 'An eSim is the easiest way to do this. They're already built into your phone and allow you to activate an additional mobile data plan. 'In comparison to roaming charges the cost is minimal. To give you an example, on a recent trip to the USA, my provider was going to charge £5 a day. An eSim plan for a month cost just $12. 'The plans will cover all your data needs including maps, social media, emails, and video calls, with no roaming charges or surprise fees when you get back home.' Is an eSim a good idea? Firstly, it's important to check if your phone supports eSIMs. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up) support eSIM functionality. Check your phone settings or manufacturer website if you're unsure. issues eSIM advice for Brits Choose an eSIM provider Search within the country you are visiting for an eSIM holiday provider. It's quite a competitive market, so it won't take long to find a local supplier offering a good deal on an eSIM. UK Passport Renewal Guide Make sure it's contract free for short term use. Check the daily limits for data, even on an unlimited package. It's easier to find a cheaper provider once you are in the country, so use airport Wi-Fi to get yourself a good local deal. Install the eSIM during your trip This is a fairly straightforward task. You will need to: Download the provider's app or scan a QR code to install the eSIM. You may need another phone to take a photo of the QR code to install it on your own mobile if you don't have a computer or tablet to hand. Or use the manual eSIM installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. Set the eSIM as your primary data plan while abroad (you can still receive texts and calls to your UK number if needed). Recommended Reading: Use data wisely Keep an eye on your usage or buy a slightly larger plan to cover streaming and navigation comfortably, as going over those limits can lead to large bills. Switch back easily when you return Once home, just toggle your mobile data settings to return to your UK SIM. The eSIM can usually remain installed for future trips or you can just delete it.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
How to avoid roaming charges when abroad
Telecoms experts are urging travellers to check if their mobile plans include international roaming – otherwise they could face charges as high as £5 a day. For a two-week break that comes in at £70 per phone on top of regular mobile charges. For a family of four that's an additional £280 on their monthly mobile phone bill. Experts at are suggesting holidaymakers make use of eSims to bring costs down and make mobile usage overseas affordable. An eSim is a digital version of a SIM card. It allows users to switch to a local provider without taking out your traditional SIM or changing your number. After landing, mobile users simply change their mobile packing to use the eSim rather than the UK SIM. Telecoms expert Juliet Moran, said: 'Holidaymakers need to be aware of roaming changes both in Europe and further afield and they need to look at ways to mitigate the extortionate cost passed on by phone providers. 'An eSim is the easiest way to do this. They're already built into your phone and allow you to activate an additional mobile data plan. 'In comparison to roaming charges the cost is minimal. To give you an example, on a recent trip to the USA, my provider was going to charge £5 a day. An eSim plan for a month cost just $12. 'The plans will cover all your data needs including maps, social media, emails, and video calls, with no roaming charges or surprise fees when you get back home.' Firstly, it's important to check if your phone supports eSIMs. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up) support eSIM functionality. Check your phone settings or manufacturer website if you're unsure. Search within the country you are visiting for an eSIM holiday provider. It's quite a competitive market, so it won't take long to find a local supplier offering a good deal on an eSIM. Make sure it's contract free for short term use. Check the daily limits for data, even on an unlimited package. It's easier to find a cheaper provider once you are in the country, so use airport Wi-Fi to get yourself a good local deal. This is a fairly straightforward task. You will need to: Download the provider's app or scan a QR code to install the eSIM. You may need another phone to take a photo of the QR code to install it on your own mobile if you don't have a computer or tablet to hand. Or use the manual eSIM installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. Set the eSIM as your primary data plan while abroad (you can still receive texts and calls to your UK number if needed). Recommended Reading: How to get the cheapest airport parking and save up to £120 How to book airport parking and lounges before your holiday What is the best SPF moisturiser? Harley Street advice Keep an eye on your usage or buy a slightly larger plan to cover streaming and navigation comfortably, as going over those limits can lead to large bills. Once home, just toggle your mobile data settings to return to your UK SIM. The eSIM can usually remain installed for future trips or you can just delete it.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
How to avoid roaming charges when abroad
Telecoms experts are urging travellers to check if their mobile plans include international roaming – otherwise they could face charges as high as £5 a day. For a two-week break that comes in at £70 per phone on top of regular mobile charges. For a family of four that's an additional £280 on their monthly mobile phone bill. Experts at are suggesting holidaymakers make use of eSims to bring costs down and make mobile usage overseas affordable. What is an eSim? An eSim is a digital version of a SIM card. It allows users to switch to a local provider without taking out your traditional SIM or changing your number. After landing, mobile users simply change their mobile packing to use the eSim rather than the UK SIM. Telecoms expert Juliet Moran, said: 'Holidaymakers need to be aware of roaming changes both in Europe and further afield and they need to look at ways to mitigate the extortionate cost passed on by phone providers. 'An eSim is the easiest way to do this. They're already built into your phone and allow you to activate an additional mobile data plan. 'In comparison to roaming charges the cost is minimal. To give you an example, on a recent trip to the USA, my provider was going to charge £5 a day. An eSim plan for a month cost just $12. 'The plans will cover all your data needs including maps, social media, emails, and video calls, with no roaming charges or surprise fees when you get back home.' Is an eSim a good idea? Firstly, it's important to check if your phone supports eSIMs. Most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up) support eSIM functionality. Check your phone settings or manufacturer website if you're unsure. issues eSIM advice for Brits Choose an eSIM provider Search within the country you are visiting for an eSIM holiday provider. It's quite a competitive market, so it won't take long to find a local supplier offering a good deal on an eSIM. UK Passport Renewal Guide Make sure it's contract free for short term use. Check the daily limits for data, even on an unlimited package. It's easier to find a cheaper provider once you are in the country, so use airport Wi-Fi to get yourself a good local deal. Install the eSIM during your trip This is a fairly straightforward task. You will need to: Download the provider's app or scan a QR code to install the eSIM. You may need another phone to take a photo of the QR code to install it on your own mobile if you don't have a computer or tablet to hand. Or use the manual eSIM installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. Set the eSIM as your primary data plan while abroad (you can still receive texts and calls to your UK number if needed). Recommended Reading: Use data wisely Keep an eye on your usage or buy a slightly larger plan to cover streaming and navigation comfortably, as going over those limits can lead to large bills. Switch back easily when you return Once home, just toggle your mobile data settings to return to your UK SIM. The eSIM can usually remain installed for future trips or you can just delete it.
