Many people have asked me: “How do you stay connected when traveling?”
They don’t necessarily want to know how I stay in touch with friends and family abroad, although that’s a subject I’d like to write about some time, but they wonder what type of internet provider I use and how I keep my devices safe.
So far, I haven’t added a lot of practical advice in my travel newsletters, because I believe such advice is readily available elsewhere. What I generally offer is more personal and intimate. But the question kept coming back in real life and in the comments, so I decided to share what I’ve learned in my six years of nomad life, hoping it might help others.
Below you will find my thoughts on:
The best way to data roam when traveling
The best eSIM provider (according to me)
The best way to protect yourself online
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission—to no extra cost to you— if you purchase the product through that link. Often, we will both benefit with a price reduction or free subscription months.
Best Way to Data Roam When Traveling
There are three ways to stay connected abroad.
The probably worst way is to use your domestic provider for data roaming in a foreign country. This can quickly become prohibitively expensive. Even if your provider offers special plans for traveling, you will likely overpay for your data. In any case, it’s wise to research the costs in advance and do a price comparison.
A better way is to purchase a local SIM card upon your arrival in a foreign country. They’re often cheaply available at the airport. But this way has downsides, too. It requires you to physically exchange your SIM card, and puts you at risk of losing or damaging your original SIM card in this process. Also: you will have no access to the phone number associated with your original SIM card during your travels. And sometimes you need to submit a copy of your passport and fill out several forms to register a local SIM card. I only consider this method if I stay in a country for multiple months.
The best way to stay connected abroad is to purchase an eSIM. After six years of international travel, I’ve come to rely upon these electronic SIM cards. I find them affordable and easy to install. But it does require an unlocked smartphone that accepts eSIMs. So first check whether you can use this method with your device.
Best eSIM Provider (according to me)
There are many different companies that offer eSIM packages. The packages range from 1 to a 100 Gig and are valid from 3 to 30 days.
Overall, Airalo is the best eSIM provider according to me. Their network service is reliable, even in The Galapagos. The eSIMs are quick to install. It’s instantly clear what their packages contain and how to top them up. The packages can be purchased in advance, yet the clock won’t start ticking until your phone connects to a server abroad. And the smartphone app is very easy to use.
If you create a free profile through this link and purchase your first Airalo eSIM, you get a $3 reduction if you use the code CLAIRE1507 upon checkout. This helps me, too, because I receive the same reduction for my next eSIM with them. It’s a win-win situation.
—> Get $3 off your first Airalo eSIM by using the code CLAIRE1507
Best Way to Protect Yourself Online
Do you know what a VPN is? A Virtual Private Network? If yes: good for you! If no: you’re not alone.
I’d never heard of a VPN until several years ago, when I found myself on a Vietnamese airport without 4G reception and had to buy an onward ticket (before I was allowed to board ) with my credit card on an unsafe public WiFi. Later, when I publicly lamented my stupidity, a concerned traveller asked me: “Didn't you have a VPN?”
Well, I do now!
A VPN is a software subscription that allows you to connect safely to otherwise unsafe networks no matter where you are. Your device will first connect to one of the provider’s safe servers before letting you roam the web.
Most VPN providers have servers all over the world and let you choose to what server you want to connect. Meaning: You can appear to be in the US, when you’re actually in Vietnam and vice versa. This can be very useful for doing research, making reservations, accessing government-restricted websites, or watching country-specific shows on your favorite streamer.
Overall, NorthVPN is the best VPN provider according to me. If you sign up using this referral link, we each receive 3 months for free. Again, a win-win situation.
—> Purchase a subscription with NorthVPN with 3 extra months for free.
Related Posts
If you enjoyed this post, you might also be interested in reading:
Time to Say Goodbye
If you’re a subscriber, you’re used to receiving one newsletter a week on Thursday. Occasionally, I’m going to publish extra newsletters on Monday or Tuesday to answer some of the regular questions I receive from readers. About how we can afford to travel longterm, for example, and where we might one day settle. You can adjust what you’d like to receive in your settings.
All my best,
Claire
P.S. Do you have any (practical) questions you’d like me to answer? Feel free to leave a comment or send me a private message.
Thanks for this information, Claire ~ very helpful!
Good info, Claire.