When it comes to getting a SIM card for your international trip, there are a few options available to you. Here are some general steps you can follow to avoid unnecessary charges and stress:
Check if your current mobile carrier offers international roaming. Contact your existing mobile carrier to inquire about international roaming plans. Some carriers offer packages that allow you to use your current SIM card abroad for a certain fee. However, keep in mind that roaming charges can be expensive, so it’s worth comparing this option with other alternatives. Some countries might not support your carrier’s network or your download speed might be reduced if you are not connected to a local network.
Consider purchasing a local SIM card. Buying a local SIM card in the country you’re visiting is often a cost-effective option, but might not be the most convenient option out there. A local SIM allows you to have a local phone number and access to local rates for calls, texts, and data. If you buy a SIM card in a country that belongs to the European Union then that service will work in any other EU country with no extra charges.There are no international roaming charges within the European Union. However, in order to be able to use a local SIM card you’ll need an unlocked GSM phone to use a different SIM card. If you travel outside the European Union you will have to purchase an additional SIM card for that country.
In order to unlock your phone you will need to contact your mobile carrier and ask them to unlock it for your travel abroad (you might need to visit a store to get it unlocked). Unlocking your smartphone can be a hassle because some carriers have different criteria about which customers are eligible to unlock their phone, especially if you are still under contract.
Also, if your phone doesn’t support two SIM cards simultaneously you will have to switch out SIM cards if you want to check or send messages on your existing data plan. With increased security measures some apps and other services sometimes use a two-factor authentication that’s tied to your local phone number so these won’t work since your phone number will be changed when the new SIM for your travel is installed. Switching out SIM cards all the time might be inconvenient if you’re always on the go, using public transportation or driving, using your mobile phone for navigation or to translate, order an Uber, book a hotel or even call for roadside assistance and hop between cities and attractions. To avoid the inconvenience of switching out SIM cards or using a different phone number you can purchase an eSIM because eSIMs let you use both your original SIM card and the eSIM at the same time. Keep reading for the many advantages for an eSIM over an actual SIM card.
The easiest and most likely most cost-effective option for your trip is purchasing an eSIM online, directly from your smartphone. Using a LTE/4G network while traveling worldwide you can connect to the internet with your eSIM card and the Red Bull MOBILE Data app and avoid expensive roaming charges. With eSIM you will never run out of data and it enables you to have multiple mobile numbers and data plans on a single device. This allows you to switch between different plans without physically changing SIM cards, providing convenience and flexibility.
With eSIM, you can activate or switch to a new data plan remotely without needing a physical SIM card. This can be particularly useful when traveling internationally or if you frequently switch between different data plans.
That way you will stay in touch with your family and friends via your favorite apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. Don’t think about roaming and start saving on your trip.
eSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM card slot in your device, which can free up space for other components or reduce the overall size of the device.
Simply download the app, choose your data plan for your destination and follow the instructions on how to activate the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM data plan. Once your account is activated you are ready to connect to the world.
Using eSIM with the Red Bull MOBILE Data App for roaming offers several advantages over traditional physical SIM cards. Data roaming has become much easier, more efficient and cost-effective with the use of eSIM.
