An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a rewritable SIM chip built into most phones sold since 2018. A travel eSIM is a prepaid data plan you buy online, install by QR code or app before you fly, and switch on when you land. You keep your Australian SIM in the phone, skip your carrier’s roaming charges, and pay local-ish data prices instead.
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How a travel eSIM works, step by step
- Check your phone. It needs eSIM support and must be carrier-unlocked — how to check.
- Buy a plan for your destination — a single country or a region such as Europe. Compare the daily caps and hotspot rules, not only the price.
- Install it at home on wi-fi by scanning the QR code or tapping install in the provider’s app — step-by-step activation.
- On arrival, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for that line only. Leave your Australian line on for texts if you want them, but turn its data roaming off.
eSIM vs physical SIM vs roaming
| Option | Set-up | Typical trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Online, before you fly | Usually data-only; cheapest for most trips |
| Local physical SIM | At the airport or a shop | Local number included; queues, ID checks, swapping cards |
| Carrier roaming pack | Nothing to install | Keeps your number; usually the most expensive per GB |
What to check before you buy
“Unlimited” plans all slow down after a daily allowance — see unlimited, decoded. If you will share data with a laptop, check the hotspot rules, and if you need calls or texts, see which eSIMs include a phone number. Then pick your destination: Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Europe, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Canada, Sri Lanka, Italy or every destination compared. New to buying one? How to get an eSIM.
Airalo sells eSIMs for more than 200 destinations and is the most recognised brand in the category.
See Airalo plans →Affiliate note: Traviva earns a commission if you buy through this Airalo link, at no extra cost to you. It does not change anything this page says about Airalo or any other provider — see our disclosure.
eSIM questions travellers ask
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a SIM chip soldered inside your phone. Instead of inserting a plastic card, you download a mobile plan to it by scanning a QR code or tapping install in an app. It does the same job as a physical SIM.
How does a travel eSIM work?
You buy a data plan for your destination before you leave, install it on your phone at home over wi-fi, and switch it on when you land. Your phone then connects to a local partner network, so you avoid your home carrier’s roaming charges.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most recent phones do: iPhone XS and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, among others. The phone must also be carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, check Settings > General > About for a Digital SIM or EID entry; on Android, look for an EID under About phone.
Can I keep my Australian number while using a travel eSIM?
Yes. Most phones hold your physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time. Keep your home line on for calls and texts (watch for roaming charges) and set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line.
Does a travel eSIM come with a phone number?
Usually not. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so you call and message over apps such as WhatsApp. A few providers sell a number as an add-on or on specific plans.
Are unlimited travel eSIMs really unlimited?
No. Every unlimited travel eSIM we compare slows down after a daily allowance, typically between 2GB and 5GB a day. A fixed-data plan is often better value if you use a lot of data.
When should I install a travel eSIM?
Install it a day or two before you fly, while you are on reliable wi-fi, but check when the validity period starts. Many plans only start counting days once they first connect to a network at your destination.