How to get internet abroad without an eSIM?
You can get internet abroad without using an eSIM in several ways: with a local or international physical SIM, by activating your usual carrier's roaming, by renting a portable WiFi device, or by connecting to public WiFi networks. The best option depends on how long you travel and how much you use your cell phone.
None of these alternatives is "the right one" in the abstract. A weekend trip to a neighboring country does not have the same needs as two months traveling through several countries, and someone who only needs maps and WhatsApp does not spend the same as someone who works from their cell phone every day. Before deciding which one to use, it's worth understanding why you ended up looking for eSIM alternatives in the first place: it could be that your cell phone doesn't support it, that you don't know how to activate it, or that you simply prefer a physical SIM out of habit. Each reason leads you to a different solution, and the following sections explain them one by one, with a real example and two comparison tables to help you decide without guessing.
What can I do if my phone doesn't have an eSIM?
If your phone doesn't support eSIM, your options are the usual: a physical SIM (local or international), your carrier's roaming, or a portable WiFi device. eSIM is just another technology to carry internet with you, not the only one, so not having it doesn't leave you without alternatives for staying connected while traveling.
Before completely ruling out eSIM, it's worth checking two things separately, as they are often confused:
- If the model supports eSIM. Mid-range and high-end cell phones launched in recent years usually support it, but some models—especially entry-level or those sold in certain markets—do not come with the integrated chip. You can check this in your phone's settings, in the mobile networks section, or by consulting a guide on eSIM compatible phones.
- If the phone is unlocked. Here's the detail that almost no one checks: many cell phones purchased through a carrier—common in the United States—come with a carrier lock, even if the model does support eSIM. This lock prevents activating any line other than the original carrier's until an unlock request is made, a process that can take several days if not requested in advance. A cell phone can be "eSIM compatible" in the technical specifications and still not accept an eSIM from another provider until the lock is resolved.
If, after checking both points, you confirm that your phone doesn't support eSIM or is still locked, no problem: the physical SIM, roaming, and portable WiFi options you see below work just as well and don't depend on that technology. And if you ever change your phone, it's worth knowing what an eSIM is to consider it next time.
How do I get internet when traveling to another country? A step-by-step example
Imagine a ten-day trip to Colombia, departing from Mexico, with stops in Bogotá and Cartagena, and a cell phone that doesn't support eSIM. Here's what the complete process would look like, from start to finish, to ensure you don't lose signal at any point during the trip.
Before leaving home, the first step is not to buy anything: it's to check your phone. Is it unlocked? How much free space is left to download offline maps and translations? Once that's resolved, there are two paths depending on how much planning you want to do in advance.
The "solve at the airport" path involves landing in Bogotá and buying a local physical SIM at an airport counter or at a carrier store in the city. This usually requires a passport, some time in line, and, in some countries, a registration form. It works, but it depends on finding the counter open and having stock available.
The "solve before traveling" path involves buying an international physical SIM or activating your usual carrier's roaming before leaving Mexico, so that your phone has a signal as soon as it's turned on upon landing, without having to find anything at the airport. This path is usually more convenient when the itinerary includes several cities or countries in a few days, as in this example with Bogotá and Cartagena.
Running out of internet in another country is almost never a technology problem: it's a problem of not having checked the options before leaving home.
In either path, it's advisable to have the accommodation's WiFi as a backup and, if the trip includes work or video calls, estimate with a margin the gigabytes that will be needed: browsing maps and messaging consumes little, but video calls and music or video streaming consume much faster than it seems.
Option 1: Buy a physical SIM upon arrival at your destination
This is the best-known option and the one many travelers use out of habit: arrive in the country, go to a local carrier store or an airport counter, and buy a SIM card with a prepaid data plan.
Advantages: usually provides access to the local network under the same conditions as a resident of the country, and does not require any prior research.
Limitations: you have to find the point of sale (it's not always open or visible upon arrival), sometimes an ID or a time-consuming registration is required, and the phone will have no signal from the moment it lands until you get the card. If the trip includes more than one country, you have to repeat the process at each border.
It's a reasonable alternative for long stays in a single country, where the initial hassle is worth it in exchange for a local data plan for weeks or months.
What SIM cards can I use to get internet abroad?
You can use a local physical SIM, purchased upon arrival in the country; an international or traveler's physical SIM, purchased before leaving and designed to work in several countries; or, if your phone supports it, an eSIM. All three are SIM cards in the broad sense: what changes is where they are obtained and in how many countries they work.
The international physical SIM (sometimes called a traveler's SIM) is purchased before the trip, usually online, and arrives by mail or is picked up at a physical point. Its advantage over the local SIM is that the phone has a signal from the moment it lands, without having to find a store. Its limitation is that it usually covers a specific region or group of countries, not the entire world, so it's advisable to check the exact coverage before buying it. This type of SIM is popular, for example, among those looking for an international chip to travel from Argentina to several countries in the region on the same trip.
Compared to these two physical options, the eSIM performs the same function—providing access to mobile data at the destination—but without a physical card: it is installed via QR code or digitally before traveling. If you're interested in comparing the two technologies in detail, there's a dedicated guide on eSIM vs. physical SIM with the practical differences between them.
Option 3: Activate your carrier's international roaming
Roaming is the service your own carrier offers so that your number and plan continue to work when you cross the border, using the network of a local carrier with whom they have an agreement. You don't have to buy or install anything new: it's activated (or already active) from your cell phone or from the carrier's app.
Advantages: it's the simplest in terms of setup, because you keep the same number and don't have to change cards or lines.
Limitations: the cost and conditions depend entirely on the policies of each carrier and each country, so it's advisable to check them directly with your carrier before traveling; in some cases, roaming is charged per day, in others per consumption, and in others it is simply not available in the destination country. To understand in more detail how this option differs from a travel eSIM, there is a specific comparison between eSIM and roaming.
Roaming is usually convenient when the trip is short, when you need to keep the same number active for work, or when you don't want to manage an additional line even if the cost per consumption is higher than other alternatives.
Option 4: Rent a portable WiFi device (MiFi or Pocket WiFi)
A portable WiFi device is a small device, the size of a cell phone, that connects to the country's mobile network and creates its own WiFi signal to which several devices can connect at once: your cell phone, laptop, tablet. It is rented before traveling and picked up (or sent by mail) to the agreed point, and returned at the end of the trip.
Advantages: connects multiple devices with a single data connection, which is useful for groups or families traveling together who don't want to pay for a line per person.
Limitations: it's another device to carry and not forget (it's added to the cell phone, charger, and the rest of the luggage), it depends on its own battery, and it must be physically returned at the end of the trip, with the commitment that implies if the itinerary changes on the fly.
It's an option to consider especially when several people are traveling together and prefer to share a single data source instead of solving the connection for each cell phone separately.
What app can I use to get internet in another country?
No application alone gives you mobile data: for that, you always need a physical SIM, active roaming, a portable WiFi, or an eSIM. What applications can do is reduce how much of that data you need, by taking advantage of WiFi when available and working offline the rest of the time.
The simplest strategy is to download, before leaving home, everything that can be used without internet: maps of the area, phrases or a dictionary of the local language, and music or podcasts for the trip. This way, mobile data consumption is reserved for what truly needs it, such as messages or real-time calls.
| Travel Need | What to use | Works without mobile data? |
|---|---|---|
| Getting around the city | Offline downloaded map | Yes, once downloaded with WiFi |
| Calling or texting home | Messaging apps over WiFi | Only with WiFi or active data |
| Understanding the local language | Downloaded dictionary or translator | Yes, once downloaded with WiFi |
| Watching content on the go | Downloaded video or music beforehand | Yes, if downloaded in advance |
This data saving works equally well no matter which option you've chosen for internet: it extends a prepaid physical SIM, makes consumption-based roaming more cost-effective, and reduces what you need from a shared portable WiFi.
Which one is best for your type of trip?
There is no single answer, but the type of trip does indicate a clear trend towards one option or another. The following table summarizes when each alternative is usually convenient, based on what has been reviewed in the previous sections.
| Option | Obtainable | Most convenient when... | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local physical SIM | Upon arrival at destination | The trip is long and to a single country | No signal until obtained |
| International physical SIM | Before leaving home | The itinerary crosses several nearby countries | Coverage limited to a region |
| Carrier roaming | With your usual line | The trip is short and you want to keep your number | Cost and conditions vary by carrier |
| Portable WiFi | By rental, before traveling | Several people are traveling together and sharing a connection | One more device to carry and return |
If at some point during your trip you change your cell phone or buy a new one with eSIM, it's worth keeping it in mind: it doesn't replace any of these options, but it does simplify the process considerably because it's installed before leaving home without relying on a physical card or finding a counter at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SIM cards can I use to get internet abroad?
You can use a local physical SIM, purchased in the destination country, or an international physical SIM, purchased before traveling and designed to cover a region of several countries. If your phone supports eSIM, you can also use it as a third alternative, although it is not a physical card.
How do I get internet when traveling to another country?
First, check if your phone is unlocked and if it supports eSIM. Then, choose between buying a physical SIM (local or international), activating your carrier's roaming, or renting a portable WiFi, depending on the length of your trip and how many countries you visit.
What can I do if my phone doesn't have an eSIM?
Nothing essential changes: physical SIM, roaming, and portable WiFi options do not depend on eSIM and work equally well on any phone with a SIM card slot. eSIM is just another alternative, not a requirement to travel connected.
What app can I use to get internet in another country?
No app replaces mobile data, but downloading maps, translators, and offline content before traveling greatly reduces how much you need from the SIM, roaming, or portable WiFi you've chosen.
Does international roaming cost the same in all countries?
No. The cost and conditions of roaming depend on the agreement between your carrier and the local carrier in each country, so it's best to confirm them directly with your carrier before traveling instead of assuming they will be the same as your previous trip.
Is it safe to use hotel or airport WiFi?
These are public networks and, as such, it's advisable to avoid sensitive transactions like bank transfers on them without an additional connection in between. For browsing, looking up information, or using maps, they are usually sufficient as a backup while you arrange another data option.
How long does a portable WiFi battery last?
It depends on the model and usage, as each device has its own battery life specification. It's advisable to check the technical specifications of the specific device you're renting and carry a charger or external battery pack for a full day of use.
If I change phones later, is eSIM still an option?
Yes. If your new phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, you can use it as an alternative to a physical SIM or roaming on your next trips. It's not mandatory, but it's good to know it exists before you need it. If you're interested in understanding the most common issues before deciding, there's a guide on common eSIM problems and how to solve them.
Conclusion: Which option to choose
If your phone doesn't support eSIM or you simply prefer not to use it, you have four equally valid options: a local physical SIM if the trip is long and to a single country, an international physical SIM if the itinerary crosses several nearby borders, your carrier's roaming if the trip is short and you want to keep your number, or a portable WiFi if several people are traveling together. None is the "correct" option in the abstract: the correct one is the one that fits your itinerary.
And if at some point you decide to consider the eSIM as another alternative—for example, when buying a new phone—it's good to know that it's available for over 200 destinations, activates in approximately 1 minute, and offers 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp, plus 180 days from purchase to activate it when your trip actually begins. You can check the available destinations in the international eSIM collection or, if you want to understand the complete process before deciding, there's a getting started guide for installing an eSIM.
