Introduction
Travelling abroad is an exciting adventure, a chance to discover new cultures, languages, incredible landscapes, different traditions, and much more. However, one of the main challenges modern globetrotters face is staying connected to the Internet without breaking the bank.
During our road trip, we crossed several European countries, a few non-EU countries, and an African one, and we noticed that managing phone subscriptions abroad can be costly and/or complicated.
Whether it’s for work, sharing unforgettable moments on social media (yes, in our case, that’s the same thing — work), staying in touch with loved ones, or planning the next steps of the trip, internet access is essential.
To address this common travel dilemma, we decided to explore the different solutions available in this detailed article. As usual, each solution comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. We’ll even share a coupon code for Holafly, an online eSIM service.
What are the different solutions for internet access abroad?
There are various ways to stay connected during your international travels. Each option has its own pros and cons, and the choice will largely depend on your specific needs, the length of your stay, the network coverage in the visited country, and your budget.
We’ll analyse three main solutions: using a UK operator offering roaming abroad, purchasing a local subscription in the visited country, and using an online eSIM service.
Solution 1: UK operator with international roaming
The first solution we explore is using your existing UK mobile plan and relying on roaming when you travel. Providers like EE, Three UK, Vodafone UK, and O2 all offer some form of roaming — included in the bundle for most EU destinations, or as a daily/weekly pass for further countries. This can seem like a convenient option at first glance, as it avoids the hassle of buying a new SIM card for each trip.
However, there is usually a fair usage cap, and exceeding it can result in additional fees or throttled speeds. The quality of service and the exact zones included also vary between operators, so it’s worth checking your specific plan in your operator’s app before you go.
UK operator roaming plans
We haven’t tested every operator combination, so to stay objective, we’ll focus on what each of the four major UK networks offers for travellers heading abroad. The general rule: the more data your plan gives you in the UK, the more generous the roaming caps tend to be — but always with limits, especially outside the EU.
EE
EU: included on most plans. Worldwide: £25/month Roam Abroad Pass.
EE includes EU roaming as standard on most modern Smart, Essential and Full Works plans. For destinations like the USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, the Roam Abroad Pass (around £25/month) unlocks your full UK allowance. Beyond those, Zone 3 and Zone 4 destinations are charged at daily rates. Explore EE’s roaming options
Vodafone UK
EU (Zone B): included on Xtra plans, £2/day on older. Worldwide: from £6.85/day.
Vodafone’s Inclusive Roaming covers 48 European destinations at no extra cost on Xtra plans, with a 25 GB fair usage cap. Roam Further extends coverage to non-EU countries (Zone C and Zone D) for a daily fee of around £6.85, with bolt-ons available for longer stays. View Vodafone’s international plans
Three UK
Europe: included. Worldwide: from £8/day for Go Roam Around the World Extra.
Three’s Go Roam service covers 71 destinations at no extra charge in Europe, with a 12 GB monthly fair usage cap. For further destinations including the USA, Australia, Brazil and many more, the Go Roam Around the World add-on costs around £8 per day. Ideal for travellers who need extensive coverage. Learn more about Three’s Go Roam
O2
Europe Zone: included up to 25 GB. Worldwide: Travel Bolt On from £7/day.
O2 includes 75 European destinations in its Europe Zone, with most plans giving you your full UK allowance up to 25 GB before extra charges of around £3.50 per GB. For destinations outside Europe, the Travel Bolt On at £7/day offers unlimited data (throttled to 2 Mbps) across 75 countries. Check O2’s international coverage
Advantages:
Using your existing UK plan is the easiest option for short stays, especially within the EU where roaming is generally included at no extra cost on most modern plans. This is the solution we use ourselves for quick European hops.
When it comes to the operator, Vodafone and EE often perform best abroad in terms of network reliability. If you need rock-solid internet for work, that’s a crucial factor.
Three UK’s Go Roam stands out for the breadth of destinations included at no extra cost in Europe, while O2’s Travel Bolt On can be a lifeline for unlimited data in non-European destinations (provided you can live with the speed throttle).
For a one or two-week European holiday with moderate usage, sticking with your UK plan is usually the simplest and most cost-effective choice.
Disadvantages:
This solution is mainly designed for travellers who frequently return to the UK. Most providers have a fair usage policy, and exceeding your data allowance abroad can lead to additional charges or slower speeds. Providers may also become less lenient if you consistently use your entire plan’s data abroad — potentially flagging your account or asking you to switch to a different plan.
For long-term stays or expatriation, this is not the best option. You’d need to return to the UK periodically to reset your usage, or switch to a different solution.
Older plans, older rules: If you signed up before 2021, you may be on a plan that still charges a daily roaming fee (£2 to £2.50 per day) even for EU destinations. Worth checking in your operator’s app before you go.
Outside the EU: Daily passes and zone-based pricing (especially Zone 3 and Zone 4) can quickly add up. A two-week trip to a non-EU country can easily cost £100+ in roaming fees alone.
Solution 2: Local subscription in the visited country
The second solution is to purchase a local SIM card or temporary subscription in the country you’re visiting. Buying a local SIM card can be a practical way to avoid using your home data plan and benefit from local rates. By purchasing a SIM card in the visited country, you can enjoy internet access without worrying about roaming charges or data limits.
Getting one is simple (provided you can communicate enough). Visit kiosks, telecommunications stores, or even airports to find prepaid SIM cards. Compare the different offers from local operators, including data rates, network coverage, and the validity period of the SIM card. Once you have your local SIM card, insert it into your phone and follow the activation instructions. This will keep you connected and let you fully enjoy your trip using local mobile services.
This is what we’ve done when we travelled to Switzerland, Portugal, and Morocco.
Practical cases we’ve experienced
Mobile plan in Switzerland
In Switzerland, we used Swisscom. Switzerland is not an EU country, and although some providers allow connections there, unexpected charges can occur if you don’t read your contract carefully. Expect to pay around £60/month for unlimited data. Switzerland is as beautiful as its prices are high! – No contract, auto-cancellation if the next month’s bill isn’t paid.
Mobile plan in Portugal
In Portugal, where we usually stay for extended periods, we use MEO. It offers unlimited data with great speeds for less than £30, making it perfect for work. – No contract, auto-cancellation if the next month’s bill isn’t paid.
Mobile plan in Morocco
In Morocco, we chose Inwi. Upon arrival in Tangier, we went to a store. The catch with this provider is that you need to cancel the plan right after purchasing it, sometimes even while still in the store. This saves you from unexpected charges. – Requires cancellation one month before the end.
Advantages:
If you plan to stay in a country for more than three weeks and intend to work while travelling, or if the country is outside the EU, we highly recommend getting a local SIM card. This will give you peace of mind and stop you constantly monitoring your data usage to ensure an app isn’t updating in the background. (Yes, we’ve been there.)
Disadvantages:
Buying a SIM card abroad can involve facing language barriers when purchasing the SIM card or plan, setting up your phone, or troubleshooting technical issues. Additionally, this option might not be viable for short trips or itineraries involving multiple countries.
Device Incompatibility: Your phone or 4G modem must be unlocked and compatible with the frequency bands used in the local country. The SIM card size might also be an issue.
The following issues should be considered if you use the SIM card in the same phone (or if your phone doesn’t have multiple SIM slots):
Losing Your UK Phone Number: When you insert a local SIM card into your phone, your UK number becomes temporarily unavailable. This can cause problems if you’re expecting important calls or 2FA codes on your UK number.
Frequent SIM Card Changes: If you travel to multiple countries, you may need to buy and change SIM cards at each destination. This can be tedious and lead to additional costs.
Loss of Familiarity: Using a new local SIM card means you’ll have a new phone number, which can make it difficult to communicate with your usual contacts. Additionally, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with local operators, their policies, and procedures.
Solution 3: Holafly eSIM service
The third solution we explore is using an eSIM service like Holafly. An eSIM service such as Holafly offers a new approach to international connectivity. Holafly provides eSIMs preloaded with data plans for various countries, allowing travellers to stay connected without managing multiple SIM cards or worrying about costly roaming fees.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital or virtual SIM card. Unlike traditional SIM cards, an eSIM does not need to be physically inserted into your device. Instead, the eSIM information is downloaded and stored directly on your phone.
This way, you can combine multiple SIM cards in your phone — one or two physical cards depending on the number of SIM slots you have — and install several eSIMs on the same phone (up to 8 on an iPhone, for example).
How Holafly eSIM works
Using Holafly is simple and quick. Just purchase the eSIM data plan for your destination country on their website. Once the purchase is complete, you’ll receive an email with a QR code. Simply scan this QR code with your compatible device to set up the eSIM. Then, activate data roaming in your device’s settings, and you’re ready to browse the web, use your favourite apps, send emails, and more — all while keeping your UK number live on your physical SIM for calls and 2FA codes.
Advantages:
Global Coverage: Holafly is available in a significant number of countries. In our experience, all the tests we conducted were successful.
Holafly’s rates are often competitive compared to traditional operators’ roaming options. You can choose from various plans tailored to your data, duration, and destination needs. Whether you need data for just 7 days to find a local SIM card or a longer-term plan, Holafly offers flexible options.
Holafly’s eSIM can be easily activated without visiting a store or dealing with paperwork. You can manage your eSIM directly from your mobile phone.
Immediate Connectivity: With Holafly, you can connect as soon as you arrive at your destination, without searching for a local SIM card or waiting for a new subscription to activate.
Lastly, when you’re far from home, having customer support is a relief. Holafly offers responsive customer support to answer your questions and assist you when needed.
Disadvantages:
Compared to buying a local SIM card in each country visited, using an eSIM can be more expensive in the long run. Holafly’s rates may be slightly higher than those of local operators, especially if you travel frequently or for extended periods.
Holafly’s eSIMs typically come with specific data limits based on the plan you choose. If you have heavy internet usage or need an unlimited connection, eSIMs may not be the best option for you. Check the plan details for your destination, and if you find an unlimited option, go for it.
Not all mobile phones are compatible with eSIMs. Before choosing Holafly’s eSIM service, ensure your device supports this technology.
Conclusion
In years of road-tripping, we’ve experimented with all three options: using roaming included in our UK mobile provider’s plan, buying a local SIM card in the country we visited, and the quick, easy, and effective purchase of an eSIM.
There is no magic solution (and even Starlink is not currently one for vanlife, as we explained in this article). This is why this article exists: depending on your situation, each technology will have its own advantages and disadvantages.
FAQ
What are the different solutions for getting internet abroad?
There are three main solutions: using your UK operator’s roaming service, purchasing a local SIM card in the country you visit, or using an online eSIM service like Holafly.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of UK operator roaming plans (EE, Three, Vodafone, O2)?
UK operators include EU roaming on most modern plans, with fair usage caps (typically 12 to 50 GB depending on the operator). Outside the EU, daily passes apply: around £5-8/day for most worldwide destinations. The advantage is convenience — your phone works as soon as you land. The disadvantage is that fair usage caps and daily fees add up quickly for longer trips or heavy data users.
What is an eSIM, and how does the Holafly eSIM service work?
An eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. The Holafly eSIM service offers preloaded eSIMs with data plans for various countries, allowing travellers to stay connected without managing multiple SIM cards or worrying about roaming fees. You buy your plan online, scan a QR code, and you’re connected.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a local subscription in the visited country?
Buying a local subscription gives you local rates and avoids roaming charges, which is ideal for longer stays. However, it may involve language barriers, frequent SIM card changes if travelling to multiple countries, and you’ll need to check that your device is unlocked and compatible with local frequency bands.
What is the best solution for getting internet abroad during a road trip?
The best solution depends on your specific needs, the length of your stay, the network coverage in the visited country, and your budget. For short EU trips, UK roaming is easiest. For longer stays or heavy data users, an eSIM or local SIM is usually more cost-effective.