While traveling abroad is always a great opportunity to tune out and disconnect from the chaos of everyday life, it can also be extremely challenging to find yourself in a new country without any source of connection to your surroundings. Paying for an international phone plan can be expensive, but luckily it’s possible to find a source of connection without breaking the bank.
International SIM cards give you the best of both worlds. Here you’ll find the best SIM card for international travel for every type of traveler. There are endless options out there and the best one will depend on your travel plans. All in all, international SIM cards offer an affordable and temporary opportunity to stay connected while traveling abroad by giving you access to your phone and wireless data across multiple countries around the world. Another option is to purchase mobile top-ups through apps like Boss Revolution, which can send top-ups to over 270 carriers in more than 100 countries.
Why use an international SIM?

No need to ditch your connection while you’re off on your international adventure. The best travel SIMs have you covered!
International SIM cards unlock a whole new travel experience. While it can be tempting to ditch the phone on your next overseas adventure, having access to data while traveling abroad is important for two reasons: It keeps you safe and makes travel a whole lot more convenient.
After all, it’s not always possible to rely on WiFi when traveling abroad, and unless you have an expensive international phone plan, you risk being stranded in an unfamiliar place without basic information to make travel fun, safe, and easy.
International SIM cards are a bit different from local SIM cards. While it’s possible to buy local SIM cards when you arrive at your destination, these are best suited for travelers who are staying in one location for an extended period of time.
Local SIM cards can be a great option for those studying or working abroad, but if you’re traveling for shorter stints or across multiple countries, buying a local SIM card in each destination can be a hassle. International SIM cards give you access to data across multiple destinations and are often considered the best travel SIMs if you want to have the freedom to cross borders.
Where to buy your international SIM card

Stay in touch with your bestie from back home with an international SIM card.
If you want to stay connected throughout your travels and are wondering where to buy international SIM cards to prepare for your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind when weighing your options. Ask yourself:
- Where are you traveling?
- For how long will you travel?
- Are you going to multiple countries or one destination?
- What do you plan to use your phone for while abroad?
If you’re planning to stay in one location for an extended period of time, you can often buy local SIM cards when you arrive in the country. But if you want to buy an international SIM card in preparation for travel across multiple countries, your only option is to purchase one online.
Do your research on the best SIM card for international travel and consider which one suits your needs best. Once you weigh the pros and cons and work out the nitty gritty of your trip abroad, you can pre-purchase the best international SIM card for you online before you go. Then you’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive at the destination of your dreams.
8 best SIM cards for international travel

There’s an international SIM card perfect for your travel plans out there.
You may be wondering, what is the best international SIM card for Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or wherever your wanderlust takes you next? The truth is, while there are some international SIM cards that are best suited for certain regions of the world, there are also some that can take you all around the globe without limitations.
The best SIM card for international travel will depend highly on what you want to use it for and how much you want to invest. Here are some of the best travel SIMs to explore before you go:
1. Sim Local
- Pros: Sim Local offers seamless connectivity in over 170 destinations with affordable prices and a wide variety of plans to suit every travel need. Their 5-star customer service on Google and TrustPilot ensures excellent support. Enjoy unlimited data options with up to 10GB per day, along with comprehensive plans that include calls, SMS, and hotspot capabilities. Plus, their full refund policy provides flexibility in case your travel plans change.
- Cons: Sim Local has limited regional plans, currently available only in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, there are few options for plans with unlimited data, which may restrict choices for some travelers.
- Coverage area: Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, North America, Southeast Asia
- Base cost: Starting from 4 Euros, and average value of 19 Euros.
- Monthly cost: 19 EUR = Unlimited texts and local calls + 30GB
2. Breeze eSim
- Pros: Breeze eSim is a great option for travelers who don't want to worry about keeping track of separate physical SIMs while abroad. They offer coverage with over 1000 mobile networks worldwide, as well as multiple networks per destination for increased coverage. You'll be covered in more than 190 countries through their various bundles. Plans can be purchased for specific countries within the regions where they have coverage.
- Cons: Depending on your phone model and network provider at home, you may not be able to use an eSim.
- Coverage area: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, the Caribbean, and Global.
- Base cost: $0
- Monthly cost: Varies by region, but starts at $8.50 / month in Europe and country plans as low as $1.95.
3. Jetpac
- Pros: Jetpac is the best SIM option for global coverage across multiple destinations. It removes the need to switch eSIMs, with a one-time installation that doesn't expire. Jetpac allows topping up new data packages in-app, as well as tethering to other devices. They provide affordable data coverage in over 50 countries—and even complimentary access to 1100 airport lounges globally in case of flight delay!
- Cons: Jetpac is data only, so you won't receive a local number or have access to text and "landline" calls.
- Coverage area: Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, North America
- Base cost: $0
- Monthly cost: Varies per region and country, but starts from $1/1GB trial on the global pack to $28 / month for 10GB data, valid 30 days when connected overseas
4. Nomad
- Pros: Nomad is one of the best travel SIMs for travelers in Europe and the USA because it is an official partner to some of the top networks in both regions, allowing travelers to stay connected to more than 500 networks across over 100 countries. One of the perks of Nomad is its lifetime plan option. If you frequently travel abroad and want to stick with the same international SIM card for all of your overseas escapades, you can purchase data packages that are valid for one year—and if you top up within the year, you can continue to use your SIM the next year too.
- Cons: Similar to GigSky, Nomad is a data-only SIM, which means you won’t be able to make calls or send texts abroad. It also requires you to input part of the SIM number when topping up data, which means you’ll have to keep track of this for years if you plan to keep using the card for future travels.
- Coverage area: All of Europe plus Algeria, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Montserrat, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
- Base cost: $14 for 500MB
- Monthly cost: Data packages (valid indefinitely) range from $14 for 500MB to $165 for 10GB
5. OneSimCard
- Pros: Thanks to its wide coverage area, OneSimCard is one of the best travel SIMs for those who are traveling between multiple countries and regions. This is another eSIM, which means you won’t have to worry about removing and keeping track of your original SIM card or juggling between multiple SIMs as you travel across borders. Unlike other eSIMS, you can opt for a data+call package, which allows you to make international calls while abroad.
- Cons: One of the biggest cons to OneSimCard is that the website isn’t very user-friendly compared to other international SIM cards. That means purchasing and top ups may be a little more difficult than other options. OneSimCard is also a more expensive option, as you don’t get as much data for your investment.
- Coverage area: Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
- Base cost: $20
- Monthly cost: Ranges from $20-$100, depending on location
6. easySIM
- Pros: easySim is the perfect travel companion, enabling travelers to stay connected without the fear of a huge bill when they get home. Simply purchase a data bundle from easySim.global, install the eSIM, and then activate your data bundle when you're ready to travel. The service is available to anyone in the world and you'll find coverage in 150 countries.
- Cons: easySim provides data-only eSIMs, which do not come with a local telephone number.
- Coverage area: 150 countries worldwide
- Base cost: $4.50 for 1GB for 7 days in Europe, varies by region
- Monthly cost: From $9 for 3GB in Europe, varies by region
7. Three UK
- Pros: Three UK is one of the best international SIM cards for travelers, especially those traveling from the UK. It provides you with a UK phone number that allows calling and texting for free across more than 70 countries, as well as flexible pay-as-you-go data plans. It’s one of the cheapest and best international SIM cards for Europe that includes calls, texts, and data, and one of the best travel SIMs for Latin America.
- Cons: One of the biggest cons to using Three UK is the process for topping up your data. If you plan to travel for more than 30 days, you can only top up your data using a UK registered credit card. This is no big deal for UK residents, but if you don’t have access to a UK card, you’ll only be able to use the plan for calls and texts after the first month.
- Coverage area: All of Europe plus Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Macao, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, United States Virgin Islands, USA, and Vietnam.
- Base cost: $39.90
- Monthly cost: $39.90 / month for 12GB data + unlimited texts and calls
8. KnowRoaming
- Pros: KnowRoaming is one of the most affordable international SIM card options out there with coverage across over 200 countries. It works by locating and connecting to local networks in your destination, which means if you’re in a well-populated area, you’ll always have coverage. It also works on most unlocked devices, whether you want to use it in a phone or tablet.
- Cons: Because KnowRoaming relies on local network connection, it can have difficulty picking up and connecting to networks in remote areas. If you’re planning to travel somewhere that’s more isolated, KnowRoaming won’t be your best option.
- Coverage area: Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, and Global.
- Base cost: $10, which does not come with any credit
- Monthly cost: Varies by location, but starts at $40 / month8.

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Best international SIM card for Europe
Orange Holiday Europe
- Pros: Orange Holiday is often rated the top SIM card for international travel, and its European version is easily one of the best travel SIMs for exploring this region of the world. It’s easy to install into any unlocked phone and can be used across multiple countries in Europe without changing your preferences on your phone. Orange Holiday is not only the best international SIM card for Europe, but it also allows you to use it in other parts of the world for a reasonable price.
- Cons: One of the biggest cons of Orange Holiday is that it has limited support in some languages. If English isn’t your first language, it may not be user-friendly.
- Coverage area: Andorra, Azores, Aland Islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, the Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Vatican.
- Base cost: $50
- Monthly cost: $50 for 10GB / 14 days
Best SIM card for traveling Asia
Discover Global e-SIM Card
- Pros: Discover Global eSIM Card can be used worldwide, but it has one of the best coverages of popular Asian destinations, making it the best SIM card for traveling Asia. It’s one of the cheapest options out there and can take you through Asia and around the world if you desire. It also allows you to purchase plans for as short as one week, making it ideal for short-term travelers.
- Cons: Discover Global eSIM doesn’t allow calling and texting, like other eSIMs out there. While it can take you around the world, it doesn’t have very much coverage in Africa—however, you’ll be covered almost anywhere you want to go throughout Asia.
- Coverage area: China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Macau, Philippines, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Global.
- Base cost: $10 / 7 days
- Monthly cost: Plans are available for $10 / week or up to $90 / 3 months
Best international SIM card for Australia and New Zealand
Orange Holiday World SIM
- Pros: Orange Holiday World SIM is one of the best travel SIMs in the world. Similar to Orange Holiday Europe, this SIM card is owned by Orange, one of the best and largest mobile providers worldwide. Unlike its European sister, Orange Holiday World allows you to feel connected almost anywhere in the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of Oceania.
- Cons: One of the biggest cons to Orange Holiday is that the plans only last for 14 days. For some, this is ideal, but for those traveling for longer time periods, they may feel limited using this SIM card.
- Coverage area: All EU countries plus Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Botswana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Liberia, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, and Vietnam.
- Base cost: $50
- Monthly cost: $50 for 10GB / 14 days
You don’t have to go off the grid while traveling!

You’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime when you find the best SIM card for your international travel plans.
Going off grid is tempting, but overrated. Staying connected while traveling the world enhances your experience and takes the stress out of international travel. With these travel SIM cards, you’ll save money on international roaming while being able to navigate a new city, stay in touch with family at home and new friends you meet along the way, and keep your mind at ease. What could be better than that?
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