While the beauty of backpacking may come from experiencing the world with the barest of necessities, there's one modern convenience that every traveler can't live without—the internet. Staying connected while backpacking ensures you can access important booking information and navigate foreign places without fear of getting lost.
However, not all connectivity solutions fit the backpacking lifestyle, here's why:
- Pocket Wi-Fi devices are reliable, but they are also quite bulky.
- Physical SIM cards can be a convenient alternative, but installation can be pretty complicated, especially if you have to do it for every new trip.
- Roaming plans can get very expensive.
Enter the eSIM—a digital alternative to the traditional SIM card. eSIMs eliminate the hassle of physical SIM installation, such as juggling multiple SIM cards and devices, lining up at store kiosks, and expensive fees. With eSIMs, you can travel with ease, knowing that your connectivity needs are taken care of.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right eSIM for your backpacking adventures? To help you, we've created a guide with everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Is an eSIM?
“eSIM” is short for embedded SIM. It's a small chip inside your smartphone or device that allows you to switch between mobile network providers without physically inserting or replacing a traditional SIM card.
Why You Should Consider Using an eSIM
Backpackers are always on the go, often venturing into remote areas or crossing multiple borders in a short time. Having a reliable internet connection is not a luxury but a necessity.
Here's why an eSIM is a great solution:
- Ease of use: Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs can be activated remotely. There is no need to find a store, deal with language barriers, or waste time hunting for local SIM cards.
- Multiple plans, one device: You can store numerous plans on one device, allowing you to switch providers effortlessly. This flexibility is ideal for multi-country trips, where you may want to activate a new plan as soon as you arrive at a new destination.
- Cost-effective data plans: With the growing number of eSIM providers, many offer affordable local and regional plans tailored to budget travelers or backpackers. You'll always find a plan that suits your budget and data needs.
- No need to carry multiple devices: For backpackers traveling light, every ounce counts. Going digital with an eSIM eliminates the need for extra cards, devices, or chargers.
How To Choose the Right eSIM
There are dozens of eSIM brands available today, so deciding on one can get overwhelming.
Here are some things to consider before making a choice:
1. Check coverage
Some eSIM providers offer global plans, which may seem like the most convenient choice. However, it's important to consider the places you're visiting.
Global plans tend to be more expensive, so unless you're visiting multiple continents, we suggest reviewing prices for regional plans for a multi-country trip or a country-specific plan if you're only visiting one country.
For instance, if you're visiting multiple European countries, you can check out an eSIM Europe plan and review the covered destinations.
Tip: If you plan to travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations or rural areas, contact your eSIM provider's customer service team to ensure its partner networks have coverage. Some remote locations may have limited options, so it's always good to double-check.
2. Determine How Much Data You Need
Your connectivity needs may vary depending on how much time you spend online. One thing you'll surely need your data for is navigation.
While there's no easy formula to determine how much data you need, here's a quick guide:
| Activity | Estimated Usage |
| Web browsing & email | 50MB/hour |
| Social media browsing | 100-150MB/hour |
| Music streaming | 150MB/hour |
| Video streaming | 500MB-1.5GB/hour depending on video quality |
| Navigation | 5MB/10 mins |
To get an idea of how much data you need, multiply the estimated usage by the hours you expect to spend doing each activity.
Tip: If you're on a budget and still unsure how much data you need, you can buy the cheapest plan and top up when you run low. Most eSIM providers should allow easy top-ups.
3. Ease of Setup and Data Management
Convenience should always be the top factor when deciding on an eSIM provider. You'll want the process to be as straightforward as possible. Ideally, your eSIM provider should offer a seamless activation process, enabling you to purchase and install the eSIM directly on your device using a QR code. The less steps, the better.
Once you've installed the eSIM and activated your plan, tracking your usage and topping up should be easily accessible.
4. Customer Support and Flexibility
While most eSIMs are designed to be hassle-free, technical issues can arise. Look for an eSIM provider with a responsive 24/7 customer support team. Since you're dealing with multiple time zones, waiting for office hours isn't inconvenient. Feeling confident you can quickly resolve issues while traveling provides peace of mind.
Tip: Look for eSIM providers with fair refund and cancellation policies. This is an easy way to determine if you're making the right decision.
Why We Recommend Truely eSIM
Most eSIM providers already promise global coverage, but what makes Truely different is its lifetime eSIM feature, which they call Switchless™. Unlike other brands, Truely's eSIM only needs to be installed once and continues to work worldwide.
This means that after using up all your data on your trip, you can keep it for the next one without going through the installation process. This feature saves you time and effort and ensures you're always prepared for your next adventure.
They also have one of the market's most affordable and flexible plans. For instance, Truely has an eSIM Asia plan covering 16 countries. At the same time, many of the popular eSIM providers only offer country-specific plans for Asia.
Truely's installation process is very straightforward. Your plan will be up and running in less than five minutes, and you won't have to stress about adjusting your phone's settings.
If you're overwhelmed by the number of eSIM providers, Truely is a noteworthy choice. Their Customer Support team is also very responsive (and human!), so you'll always feel at ease.
Pro Tips for Using an eSIM While Backpacking
- Download before you go: It's always a good idea to download the eSIM and set it up before you leave for your trip. This ensures you have immediate access to data as soon as you land.
- Save data by connecting to Wi-Fi: Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to conserve data. Many hostels, cafes, and public spaces offer free Wi-Fi, which can help you save on your data plan.
- Download offline essentials: Even though eSIMs are reliable, signals may fluctuate in remote areas. Apps like Google Maps and translation apps offer offline versions, which are invaluable in areas without reliable internet. Download these before your trip.
Final Thoughts
With the right eSIM provider, you can enjoy seamless connectivity, access to local networks, and the flexibility to switch plans at the touch of a button. Plus, it's one less device to pack and more weight off your shoulders! Wherever your backpacking journey takes you, an eSIM can make your travels smoother and worry-free.
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This story is brought to you in partnership with Truely.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
