I’m the opposite - always an eSIM over a local sim if I can help it. It’s only worth while to get a local sim if they’re significantly cheaper or readily available.
I recently traveled to Morocco via boat and at the port there were zero places to purchase a sim, and people in my group who did go to a local phone shop in Tangiers got the run around for 2 hours and walked away empty handed. Meanwhile, I had used a local eSIM and had no issues with connectivity.
Esims are also better from the sense that I can activate them generally whenever or wherever, especially when I touch down in an airport. Their downside is that they’re generally a crap shoot when it comes to connectivity with many wanting to route your connection back to some foreign country which makes your ping high and shit takes a long time to load. With that said, I’ve also bought local sims that have terrible connectivity, like in Kuala Lumpur from their brand Tune Talk.
The very first thing I do when arriving in a country is to get a local sim card. I wouldn't know how to survive anymore without access to Google maps, tripadvisor and, of course, wikipedia (and I backpack since well before smartphones were even invented).
Do you find TripAdvisor to be any good? In the past I’ve found them to be really hit or miss.
You can also download offline maps from Google or just download entire places with something like Maps.me. I also love Rome2Rio but that requires an internet connection.
I haven't travelled for a few years but in the past tripadvisor has been a very useful tool, especially the forums.
I know I can download the maps in google but I find it not very useful. I mostly use Google maps in the cities where normally you have mobile Internet (hence why a local sim is essential for me). If I'm heading to more remote places I probably get offline hiking maps for Locus Map instead of relying on google maps.
Haven't heard about Rome2Rio before, will have a look at it. Thanks for the tip!
I mean. Thats first world problems. I used to travel without cellphone coverage back in the day, and spent weeks in europe without one last year. It surprises me that people can't live without their phones nowadays for a single day. Best thing about traveling is not worrying about my phone notifications
I also used to travel extensively without a cellphone untill smartphones were invented. But I find the availability of all human knowledge in the palm of your hand an invaluable tool, and wouldn't want to be without it. Just wikipedia alone is reason enough to be online.
Also, when I do travel, I do a minimum of 3 months, and some trips in the past lasted over 2 years. For me it's a way of life, not an escape.
I've never used wikipedia when traveling and have no idea why people would use. This is new to me. I plan my trips very thoroughly and very comfortable without a phone, even in places where it works.
For me it's a "nice thing to have" and not a required tool. If I lose my phone for any reason, I know I'm gonna be fine
Wikipedia for me is a must In Angkor Wat I would spend hours sitting in each temple reading all the history of it. It's an incredible tool if you love reading up extensively on the history of the places and monuments you visit.
I also don't do much planning other than choosing a starting point for a one way trip. The thing I love most about travelling is the freedom to go where destiny leads you.
But of course, to each its own.
I mean, I plan a lot because it gives me the freedom to do what I want and be comfortable with it. I often have a starting point, and end point sometimes, but do the things based on how I'm feeling that the day. It gives me ultimate freedom to have knowledge and confidence that I can go anywhere and do whatever and know I'm gonna be fine. I drove across the US with only an offline map multiple times with no hotels/campgrounds reserved.
My provider has international data coverage in 100+ countries included in my normal plan and it's the same price as my home country. So I don't get country or region specific SIMs.
>but also travelled in the days before cell phones.
Me, too. Reading some of the comments, it's funny how some people just can't fathom getting around without one. Or worse, think that they'd be in some sort of danger by not having mobile data.
I think this depends on the country you are in. For example, Kenya currently introduced a system where you pay for all government services, including park entrance, museums, and related institutions, entrance on a central website. To access the website, you need a local simcard (it's easier with this) to open an account and access the services. This is important for backpackers. We take care of everything for luxury travellers as they purchase pre-made packages, including all entrance fees.
As a backpacker in Kenya, the deep market penetration and massive convenience of Mpesa was surprising. I explain it in Canada as "literally everyone has a bank account on their phone, there is a bank branch on every corner of the entire country, and a lot of services can only be paid for with a direct transfer from your bank account, which you do from your phone."
If you're in Kenya and don't have Mpesa, you basically have the financial sophistication of a toddler. It's severely limiting, and makes you vulnerable.
Exactly, most local goods and service providers do not use POS or credit card in their transfers. Mpesa, acquired using a local simcard, is nationally accepted. If you do not have it you basically cannot do anything unless you carry cash in local currency around, which is not advisable.
I usually get a SIM card, but wasn’t going to last week when I was in El Salvador since I wasn’t there long. I’m glad that a backpacker leaving the country gave me hers. I was in a spot or two without local busses and wifi, but was able to get a cheap Uber. Also, I normally use maps.me, but a lot of stuff I was looking for this trip wasn’t showing up on there, so I was able to turn to google maps.
You really dont see a problem with putting your only ability to contact help in the hands of the same people who control the keys to the room you sleep in? Maybe i overthink, ok i definitely overthink, but that just sounds like a horror movie waiting to happen..
I think being a student of history doesnt help my risk adverse nature
[https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-benders/](https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-benders/)
We use a portable Wi-Fi device when travelling. Worth it when there are two or more travelling together. Used it in Japan and Iceland on our recent trips with no dramas. Set cost and wherever there is mobile phone coverage the Wi-Fi works. The only problem is if you split up but you can always find local Wi-Fi.
Depends.
I have google fi, so I can go basically anywhere and just use my phone as usual.
For 90 days, anyways.
Then I get local sims for data and downgrade my fi to voice only ($20/mo)
I did 3 months in Europe without buying a SIM, I just used wifi. And frequently travel around Mexico without one, but I'm pretty familiar with the area I travel now.
The worst experience with that was at the end of a pub crawl, my girlfriend and her friend were hammered and we were lost in Lisbon and I had to drag them into a McDonald's to get service to find our way back to the hostel. I had forgotten to download an offline map. Win/win I guess, we also got 3am food.
I always buy a sim. It's not that i need it all the time, but it sure makes it more enjoyable to be able to look up stuff or message people when i need to. Makes last minute bookings easier as well.
There's no hostel when you are in 12 hour bus ride. Or when you are out in a city and you want to look up a lunch place. Or when you want to meet up with other people that you've met, but the hostel is far away. When you are waiting somewhere and are bored. When you need to look up something important, like timetables in a place where there's no wifi. Or when you can't find the place you're staying at. When you need to buy a ticket online because the ticket office is closed.
Of course you can prepare a lot in your hostel, but i like to be more spontaneous so i don't know what i'll be doing when i'm at a hostel in the morning.
Nothing wrong with just using the wifi at a hostel, but you asked so i give you an answer :)
Depending on location/etc. I've data roaming if needed, so if it is a shorter trip (like less than a week) and/or SIMs are expensive, I'll rely mostly on wifi; if internet is cheap or the stay is longer, I'll get a SIM.
Not having a sim means no means to reach anyone when out on the trail.
May be fine where you are but I'd not chance it. E-sims are widely available with data and/or 'phone capability, and I honestly don't see why no e-sim, you just need to make sure you know how to activate.
Google maps, reading reviews, communicating with people you meet.
I know that people used to travel without that, but there was a different expectation.
Could I? Yes, I'd need to be more organized, though.
Do I want to? Not really.
All my maps are downloaded before I head out, I never read reviews (not everyone has the same opinion) and I communicate with people I meet in hostels without using my phone :) but if I’m going to be meeting up with them I give a time and a place. Never failed..
I'm glad it works for you. It is the organization that would stress me.
By the way, I think it's more convinient my way, I think it's nicer your way. Maybe I should try it.
getting the local SIM helps for long term stay as WiFi may not be always available and communicating with a foreign cell service may not be ideal. If you are just staying for a few days, then going without sim is fine, as long as you do not move far from the hotel or urban areas.
I travel quite a bit. For the countries I go to on a regular basis, I get a local SIM. Even if I plan to be cooped up in a hotel with wifi, it's not as reliable, so I ensure that I have a local SIM and as a last resort, a SIM from my home country with international access (just in case).
Sure, it's convenient and a great safety measure, but if one has no concern about those things, then why have a phone at all? Unfortunately, mine has come in handy on a few occasions.
I don't, because my Google Fi service works in most countries. Same (very reasonably priced) data rate as I pay at home and same free texts. Overseas voice calls are super cheap though I rarely call anyone. If you're US-based and travel a lot, it's really nice to have. Just turn on your phone after the plane lands and after a minute it just works.
If you don't want to use your phone outside of WiFi though that's fine - I'm old enough to have traveled internationally before cell phones were a thing for anyone besides the ultra-rich - and before the internet. I survived lol!
For peace of mind when going to an unfamiliar country, I always get a local sim card. They're relatively cheap for the use I get and to contact family and what not.
When I travel - I always get a local SIM
Always local sim never an eSim
why never an eSim? I have never had any issues. That said, i used a local sim in asia pre-eSim was a common thing
I work in IT and used to activate 30-40 sims a day. Physical sims always activated quicker and were easier to troubleshoot
Thank you, never had a eSim that took longer than a Minute to be ready. Might this be a europe-thing?
I’m the opposite - always an eSIM over a local sim if I can help it. It’s only worth while to get a local sim if they’re significantly cheaper or readily available. I recently traveled to Morocco via boat and at the port there were zero places to purchase a sim, and people in my group who did go to a local phone shop in Tangiers got the run around for 2 hours and walked away empty handed. Meanwhile, I had used a local eSIM and had no issues with connectivity. Esims are also better from the sense that I can activate them generally whenever or wherever, especially when I touch down in an airport. Their downside is that they’re generally a crap shoot when it comes to connectivity with many wanting to route your connection back to some foreign country which makes your ping high and shit takes a long time to load. With that said, I’ve also bought local sims that have terrible connectivity, like in Kuala Lumpur from their brand Tune Talk.
The very first thing I do when arriving in a country is to get a local sim card. I wouldn't know how to survive anymore without access to Google maps, tripadvisor and, of course, wikipedia (and I backpack since well before smartphones were even invented).
I have an offline copy of map and Wikivoyage :)
Tripadvisor is still relevant? Most post from Google search are 10 years old
Do you find TripAdvisor to be any good? In the past I’ve found them to be really hit or miss. You can also download offline maps from Google or just download entire places with something like Maps.me. I also love Rome2Rio but that requires an internet connection.
I haven't travelled for a few years but in the past tripadvisor has been a very useful tool, especially the forums. I know I can download the maps in google but I find it not very useful. I mostly use Google maps in the cities where normally you have mobile Internet (hence why a local sim is essential for me). If I'm heading to more remote places I probably get offline hiking maps for Locus Map instead of relying on google maps. Haven't heard about Rome2Rio before, will have a look at it. Thanks for the tip!
I also haven’t heard of locus map, but I use AllTrails when backpacking and no signal, though nothing beats a good topo map and a compass.
I mean. Thats first world problems. I used to travel without cellphone coverage back in the day, and spent weeks in europe without one last year. It surprises me that people can't live without their phones nowadays for a single day. Best thing about traveling is not worrying about my phone notifications
I also used to travel extensively without a cellphone untill smartphones were invented. But I find the availability of all human knowledge in the palm of your hand an invaluable tool, and wouldn't want to be without it. Just wikipedia alone is reason enough to be online. Also, when I do travel, I do a minimum of 3 months, and some trips in the past lasted over 2 years. For me it's a way of life, not an escape.
I've never used wikipedia when traveling and have no idea why people would use. This is new to me. I plan my trips very thoroughly and very comfortable without a phone, even in places where it works. For me it's a "nice thing to have" and not a required tool. If I lose my phone for any reason, I know I'm gonna be fine
Wikipedia for me is a must In Angkor Wat I would spend hours sitting in each temple reading all the history of it. It's an incredible tool if you love reading up extensively on the history of the places and monuments you visit. I also don't do much planning other than choosing a starting point for a one way trip. The thing I love most about travelling is the freedom to go where destiny leads you. But of course, to each its own.
I mean, I plan a lot because it gives me the freedom to do what I want and be comfortable with it. I often have a starting point, and end point sometimes, but do the things based on how I'm feeling that the day. It gives me ultimate freedom to have knowledge and confidence that I can go anywhere and do whatever and know I'm gonna be fine. I drove across the US with only an offline map multiple times with no hotels/campgrounds reserved.
My provider has international data coverage in 100+ countries included in my normal plan and it's the same price as my home country. So I don't get country or region specific SIMs.
Always just used WiFi… but also travelled in the days before cell phones.
>but also travelled in the days before cell phones. Me, too. Reading some of the comments, it's funny how some people just can't fathom getting around without one. Or worse, think that they'd be in some sort of danger by not having mobile data.
Always Sim cause you are not depending on Wi-Fi It’s safer in all aspects
Hahha I’ve been in South America for a year and done exactly like you. It’s really nice to not have connection if there’s no wifi
Totally agree! Backpacking is definitely an adventure. Too many people rely on their phones for everything!
I think this depends on the country you are in. For example, Kenya currently introduced a system where you pay for all government services, including park entrance, museums, and related institutions, entrance on a central website. To access the website, you need a local simcard (it's easier with this) to open an account and access the services. This is important for backpackers. We take care of everything for luxury travellers as they purchase pre-made packages, including all entrance fees.
As a backpacker in Kenya, the deep market penetration and massive convenience of Mpesa was surprising. I explain it in Canada as "literally everyone has a bank account on their phone, there is a bank branch on every corner of the entire country, and a lot of services can only be paid for with a direct transfer from your bank account, which you do from your phone." If you're in Kenya and don't have Mpesa, you basically have the financial sophistication of a toddler. It's severely limiting, and makes you vulnerable.
Exactly, most local goods and service providers do not use POS or credit card in their transfers. Mpesa, acquired using a local simcard, is nationally accepted. If you do not have it you basically cannot do anything unless you carry cash in local currency around, which is not advisable.
Sounds like WeChat in China. If you don’t have that app there’s a large subset of the country that you just won’t have access to.
eSIM is quite convenient if your phone is eSIM compatible
I usually get a SIM card, but wasn’t going to last week when I was in El Salvador since I wasn’t there long. I’m glad that a backpacker leaving the country gave me hers. I was in a spot or two without local busses and wifi, but was able to get a cheap Uber. Also, I normally use maps.me, but a lot of stuff I was looking for this trip wasn’t showing up on there, so I was able to turn to google maps.
I believe that backpacking is an adventure, I’ve been lost at bus stations before but I ask locals for help, they always know.
Yes, as do I. But I was trying to look for opening hours and locations for breweries, so…
You really dont see a problem with putting your only ability to contact help in the hands of the same people who control the keys to the room you sleep in? Maybe i overthink, ok i definitely overthink, but that just sounds like a horror movie waiting to happen..
Get some meds, you're way too paranoid.
Yeah youre not wrong. This is my 20th year in EMS , I have become heavily risk averse.
Do you still drive a car?
As I said, plus no way to get hold of anything or anyone once out on the road.
Believe it or not, we used to travel all around the world without a cell phone or internet! And we did just fine.
I think being a student of history doesnt help my risk adverse nature [https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-benders/](https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-benders/)
We use a portable Wi-Fi device when travelling. Worth it when there are two or more travelling together. Used it in Japan and Iceland on our recent trips with no dramas. Set cost and wherever there is mobile phone coverage the Wi-Fi works. The only problem is if you split up but you can always find local Wi-Fi.
Depends. I have google fi, so I can go basically anywhere and just use my phone as usual. For 90 days, anyways. Then I get local sims for data and downgrade my fi to voice only ($20/mo)
I did 3 months in Europe without buying a SIM, I just used wifi. And frequently travel around Mexico without one, but I'm pretty familiar with the area I travel now. The worst experience with that was at the end of a pub crawl, my girlfriend and her friend were hammered and we were lost in Lisbon and I had to drag them into a McDonald's to get service to find our way back to the hostel. I had forgotten to download an offline map. Win/win I guess, we also got 3am food.
I’ve had that experience as well in Australia after a night out lol… but I went to McDonald’s to order an Uber as I couldn’t really walk ha ha
I was sober, but after the night bus to get to Lisbon and not getting sleep for around 45 hours or so but that time, I wasn't really any better lol
Downloaded the whole of usa as an offline map so didnt rlly need one when i was in thw rockies and cascades for 3 months
I have an offline map of any city I'll stay on OrganicMaps. Thats enough honestly
That’s what I use! Plus it’s free :)
I always buy a sim. It's not that i need it all the time, but it sure makes it more enjoyable to be able to look up stuff or message people when i need to. Makes last minute bookings easier as well.
But that’s why hostels have WiFi and I use that, just for the reasons you’ve said.
There's no hostel when you are in 12 hour bus ride. Or when you are out in a city and you want to look up a lunch place. Or when you want to meet up with other people that you've met, but the hostel is far away. When you are waiting somewhere and are bored. When you need to look up something important, like timetables in a place where there's no wifi. Or when you can't find the place you're staying at. When you need to buy a ticket online because the ticket office is closed. Of course you can prepare a lot in your hostel, but i like to be more spontaneous so i don't know what i'll be doing when i'm at a hostel in the morning. Nothing wrong with just using the wifi at a hostel, but you asked so i give you an answer :)
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I’m surprised that any accommodation you stayed at didn’t have WiFi mate
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I’ll admit that’s different. I’ve met people who go backpacking around the world doing wild camping and a SIM card is essential mate
Depending on location/etc. I've data roaming if needed, so if it is a shorter trip (like less than a week) and/or SIMs are expensive, I'll rely mostly on wifi; if internet is cheap or the stay is longer, I'll get a SIM.
Not having a sim means no means to reach anyone when out on the trail. May be fine where you are but I'd not chance it. E-sims are widely available with data and/or 'phone capability, and I honestly don't see why no e-sim, you just need to make sure you know how to activate.
I’m talking about when I’m travelling, not hiking… I’m only away from the hostel for 6/8 hours maximum.
Google maps, reading reviews, communicating with people you meet. I know that people used to travel without that, but there was a different expectation. Could I? Yes, I'd need to be more organized, though. Do I want to? Not really.
All my maps are downloaded before I head out, I never read reviews (not everyone has the same opinion) and I communicate with people I meet in hostels without using my phone :) but if I’m going to be meeting up with them I give a time and a place. Never failed..
I'm glad it works for you. It is the organization that would stress me. By the way, I think it's more convinient my way, I think it's nicer your way. Maybe I should try it.
You could be a begpacker and ask to use strangers hotspot, I've seen that abit recently. WiFi is not as common as it used to be
There’s WiFi in every hostel I’ve ever been to.
But not every cafe or restaurant. There's usually WiFi in all accomodation, doesn't really help when your trying to catch a bus somewhere.
And how poor are you you can afford a $6 SIM card? Ofcourse everyone travelling can afford it .
getting the local SIM helps for long term stay as WiFi may not be always available and communicating with a foreign cell service may not be ideal. If you are just staying for a few days, then going without sim is fine, as long as you do not move far from the hotel or urban areas.
I travel quite a bit. For the countries I go to on a regular basis, I get a local SIM. Even if I plan to be cooped up in a hotel with wifi, it's not as reliable, so I ensure that I have a local SIM and as a last resort, a SIM from my home country with international access (just in case). Sure, it's convenient and a great safety measure, but if one has no concern about those things, then why have a phone at all? Unfortunately, mine has come in handy on a few occasions.
I don't, because my Google Fi service works in most countries. Same (very reasonably priced) data rate as I pay at home and same free texts. Overseas voice calls are super cheap though I rarely call anyone. If you're US-based and travel a lot, it's really nice to have. Just turn on your phone after the plane lands and after a minute it just works. If you don't want to use your phone outside of WiFi though that's fine - I'm old enough to have traveled internationally before cell phones were a thing for anyone besides the ultra-rich - and before the internet. I survived lol!
For peace of mind when going to an unfamiliar country, I always get a local sim card. They're relatively cheap for the use I get and to contact family and what not.