Staying connected while traveling used to be one of the most annoying parts of every trip.
You land after a long flight, you’re tired, hungry, and slightly disoriented — and the first thing you’re doing is hunting for Wi-Fi or lining up at an airport SIM card booth hoping you don’t get ripped off.
After years of international travel, I’ve completely stopped buying local SIM cards. Instead, I now use an eSIM, and it’s honestly one of those small changes that quietly makes travel way easier.
On my recent trips, I’ve been using Ubigi, an international eSIM app that works in 200+ destinations, and it’s become my go-to option for staying connected the moment I land.
What is an eSIM (and why it’s better for travel)?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone.
There’s no physical card to swap, no tiny plastic thing to lose, and no awkward moment trying not to drop your SIM tray onto the airport floor.
You simply install the eSIM once, and it works alongside your normal SIM. That means:
- You keep your main SIM active
- You can still receive calls or SMS if needed
- All your mobile data runs through the eSIM
Ubigi offers premium connectivity through eSIM technology. The service can be fully managed through its mobile app, where users can purchase data plans, monitor their usage, and top up anytime.
It’s designed specifically for international travel.
Why I stopped buying local SIM cards
For years, I did what most travelers do: buy a SIM card in every new destination.
Sometimes it worked fine. Other times it was a mess.
Here’s why I stopped:
1. Airport SIM cards are expensive
They’re convenient, but usually massively overpriced.
In many destinations, I was paying 2–3x more than I should have, simply because I wanted internet immediately.
2. You’re constantly swapping SIM cards
You’re taking out your main SIM, putting it somewhere “safe” (which you forget), then repeating the process again in the next destination.
I’ve lost SIM cards more times than I want to admit.
3. Local Wi-Fi isn’t reliable
Cafés, airports, and hotels are hit-or-miss — and often slow or insecure.
I’ve been in plenty of situations where I needed Google Maps, Grab, WhatsApp, or translations right now, not after finding Wi-Fi.
With an eSIM, your data just works.
Why I use Ubigi eSIM for international travel
There are a lot of eSIM providers now, but Ubigi has a few things that genuinely make it stand out.
Works in 200+ destinations
Instead of buying a new SIM every time you cross a border, Ubigi lets you use one eSIM across more than 200 destinations worldwide.
You install it once and reuse it for future trips, simply adding data plans as needed.
If you’re moving between regions — say Europe, Asia, or multiple islands — this alone is a huge advantage.
No surprise roaming charges
This is a big one.
Ubigi is prepaid, so there are no bill shocks and no accidental roaming fees. You know exactly what you’re spending before you travel.
Compared to standard roaming from your home provider, the savings are often massive.
You can top up without Wi-Fi
This is one of Ubigi’s most underrated features.
Even if you’ve completely run out of data, you can still open the Ubigi app and top up without Wi-Fi or phone credit. Ubigi keeps its app accessible through its own connectivity, even when your balance is at zero, so you can purchase a new data plan anytime without needing a Wi‑Fi hotspot.
That’s saved me more than once while traveling in remote areas with no Wi-Fi available.
Tethering is allowed
You can hotspot your data to your laptop, tablet, or even another traveler’s phone.
This is huge if you’re working remotely, uploading photos, or traveling as a couple.
Good coverage
Ubigi works with multiple local networks in many destinations, which helps reduce dead zones and improve reliability — especially outside big cities.
How I actually use it when traveling
My usual setup looks like this:
- My normal SIM stays in my phone
- Ubigi eSIM handles all data
- WhatsApp works as usual
- Google Maps, bookings, Grab/Uber, translation apps — all instantly available
When I land, my data activates automatically once the network is detected, thanks to Ubigi’s SmartStart feature. There’s no waiting around or setup at the airport.
It’s one less thing to think about, which is exactly how travel tech should be.
How to check if your phone supports eSIM
This takes about 5 seconds.
On your phone, dial:
*#06#
If an EID number appears, your device is eSIM compatible.
Most modern iPhones and Android phones support it, but it’s always worth checking first.
How to get started with Ubigi
You can buy a data plan either:
- through the Ubigi website, or
- directly inside the Ubigi app (iOS and Android)
Once installed, the eSIM stays on your phone permanently, and you simply add new data plans whenever you travel again.
You can even buy plans up to six months in advance, and the plan only starts once you arrive at your destination.
That means you can land fully connected without wasting any days.
👉 Get Ubigi eSIM data plan here and enjoy 10% off with my code JOURNEYERA
Who I think Ubigi is best for
Ubigi makes the most sense if you:
- Travel internationally more than once a year
- Move between multiple destinations on one trip
- Want data immediately after landing
- Don’t want to deal with physical SIM cards
- Work remotely or rely on your phone for navigation, bookings, and daily connectivity
If you only ever travel once every five years, a local SIM might be fine — but even occasional travelers will appreciate how convenient an eSIM is. No swapping cards, no risk of losing your home SIM, and instant data as soon as you land.
And if travel is a regular part of your life, an eSIM is one of those upgrades you won’t want to go back from.
Final thoughts
There are a lot of travel tools that promise to “change everything.”
An eSIM isn’t flashy — but it quietly removes one of the most annoying friction points of international travel.
No SIM swapping.
No airport queues.
No roaming panic.
Ubigi has become part of my standard travel setup, right alongside packing cubes and offline Google Maps.
If you want your phone to just work when you land — especially when traveling internationally — it’s well worth setting up before your next trip.
