Best Internet for Travel

Choosing the best internet for traveling is always challenging, but finding the optimal option is even more difficult. In the past, before the internet, travelers relied on paper maps and hoped to navigate the country successfully. Then, with the advent of the internet, pocket Wi-Fi became available, allowing access to the internet through a portable device. Now, internet usage has advanced further, eliminating the need for an extra device, as you can download an eSim to your phone or use your existing phone carrier to make calls or browse the internet. I have reviewed several popular eSIMs and conducted some comparisons of price and coverage, as well as comparing the cost of using international internet through a few phone plans.

I will evaluate the internet services based on the following parameters: price, data, speed, throttling, hotspot, and coverage.

Phone plans: (All the prices listed are the additional costs for international data on top of your existing phone plan)

AT&T:

• Daily Rate: $12 (Unlimited Data for the day)

• Per Per Use Rate: $2.05/MB

• Included: Data, Calls, Text and tethering but at reduced speeds

• Coverage: 210 destinations

  
  

  This option can only be used for 10 days within a billing cycle (up to $120 max) and may experience slowdowns due to congestion, although it is not technically throttling.

T-Mobile

• Daily Rate: $5/512MB (1 day)

• Per Per Use Rate: $35/5GB (10 days), $50/15G (30 days

• Included: Data, Calls, Text and tethering but at reduced speeds

• Coverage: 215 destinations

  
  

  You can also buy the Go5G Plus/Next which will give you 15GB/month of full speed data, and Magenta MAX will give you 5GB/month of full speed. However, T-Mobile will throttle speeds after you hit your cap.

Verizon

• Daily Rate: $10 (Unlimited Data for the day)

• Per Per Use Rate: $2.05/MB or $100/20GB (30 days)

• Included: Data, Calls, Text and tethering but at reduced speeds

• Coverage: 210 destinations

  
  

  Reserves the right to reduce speeds temporarily, so may cause throttling

Google-Fi

• Daily Rate: N/A

• Per Per Use Rate: $10/GB (Max is $80 per a month) or $65/month (unlimited)

• Included: Data, Calls, Text and tethering but at reduced speeds

• Coverage: 210 destinations

  
  

  The $10/GB option is just for data, while the $65/month includes Data, Calls and Text. Google-Fi may throttle after cap is reached.

eSIMS:

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a built-in digital SIM card within your phone or tablet. It contains your identifying information for your mobile carrier, enabling you to make calls, send texts, and use data. Additionally, it stores some of your contacts, so if you switch phones, your address book and carrier information will transfer with you.

Why is an eSIM great for international travel?

An eSIM provides more flexibility compared to a physical SIM card. You can have multiple eSIMs downloaded to your phone simultaneously, whereas with a physical SIM, you typically could only have a maximum of two SIM cards in your phone. This allows for instant activation when you travel, eliminates the need for physical SIM card swapping, and supports dual lines.

eSIM Comparisons: (The pricing for each eSIM provider varies based on the country you plan to visit. For this comparison, I will use the prices for Japan. eSIMs may also offer coverage options by country or by region, such as Asia or Europe.)

Ubigi:

• Pricing: $4 for 1GB for 1 day ($120 for 1 month)

• Coverage: 190+ countries

• Data Plan: Regional and Global options

• Included: Data only and Tethering

App is relatively easy to use and easy to activate and top-up if needed. Data speed is generally 4G/LTE (some select regions may have 5G)

Holafly:

• Pricing: unlimited = $74.90 for 30 days or $6.90 for 1 day

• Coverage: 170+ Countries

• Data Plan: Unlimited data for many countries but duration based (5,10,15 days)

• Included: Data only and no tethering

The app's quality is simple yet effective. Data speed is typically 4G/LTE, though it may slow down after extensive use. It's ideal if you don't want to worry about data consumption during your trip.

Airalo:

• Pricing: $11.50 for 5GB for 30 days

• Coverage: 200+ Countries

• Data Plan: Country specific, Regional and Global plans

• Included: Data only and tethering

The app is outstanding with a user-friendly interface. It's ideal for traveling between countries, as it offers internet access in the majority of them. Typically, data speed is 4G/LTE, although it might drop to 3G in remote regions.

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Nomad:

• Pricing: $11 for 5GB for 30 days

• Coverage: 160+ countries

• Data Plan: Country specific, regional and Global plans

• Included: Data only and tethering

The app is well-designed and makes managing plans easy. It may offer 5G and data rollover in certain situations, but primarily provides 4G/LTE speeds.

Roamless:

• Pricing = $9.95 for 5GB for 30 days or $2.45GB No expiration

• Coverage: 140+ countries

• Data Plan: Pay-as-you-go, Regional and Country specific plans

• Data plan: Data only and tethering

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The app features a user-friendly interface with real-time data tracking. It primarily provides 4G/LTE connectivity but can also offer 5G if available in the country. It's ideal for spontaneous or multi-country travel. While it may be pricier per GB compared to other plans, it offers the flexibility to pay for data that doesn't expire and can be used globally.

Above is a selection of some of the most popular data plans for international travel. While there are numerous choices, these are the most popular ones. It's important to choose the plan that aligns with your requirements. If maintaining access to phone calls or text messages on your main number is crucial, it may be worth incurring the international charges of your chosen phone plan. Conversely, if you don't need to use your primary number while traveling and can rely on web-based apps such as Skype or WhatsApp for communication, you might want to consider an eSIM.

Regardless of your decision, the data will assist you in navigating your destinations and ensure you have a fantastic experience.