Travelling abroad for leisure or business is exciting and fun but rarely cheap.
One of the most significant hidden expenses on holiday or business trips are foreign mobile roaming charges that hit you when you return home and it’s often too late to do anything to reduce the costs.
Data charges mount up quickly when you are posting photos on social, locating the next stop on Maps, or streaming your favourite shows on your phone or tablet.
Thankfully, you can buy a simple eSIM that does the same job as the physical SIM card in your phone but can be downloaded for free and loaded with much cheaper international mobile plans from 500MB to 50GB.
Tips to choose an eSIM provider
One of our favourite eSIM providers is GigSky, which is more than just a data reseller—being a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that owns much of its core network elements and so can quickly and expertly diagnose any network or installation issues that mere resellers cannot.
Setup and activation are simplicity itself in the mobile app for Android and iOS. You can use the app to top up the eSIM with extra data if you need more while away.
Fancy testing it out? GigSky offers a free 500MB plan for Europe (or 100MB everywhere else) with no credit card required.

GigSky
Globally, the service is unmatched—working in 200 countries, including even Cuba (omitted by most other providers).
It even works at sea on cruise ships with over 200 of the biggest names such as Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Princess included. As it is bundled with a regular service cruisers need just one plan for land and sea.
And it’s not just on land and sea. Need some inexpensive data while in the air? GigSky’s service is supported by 20 different airlines.
How an eSIM saves you money and time
With an eSIM you can avoid any nasty data surprises hefty via your customized digital mobile data plan chosen before you travel—or quickly downloaded while away.
The eSIM controls your calls, texts and data in the same way as your domestic physical SIM card, and thankfully you won’t need to change your phone number to take use the cheaper preloaded data while you are away.

GigSky
Peace of mind
eSIMs are much safer than relying on unknown foreign Wi-Fi hotspots that can easily be hacked, exposing your phone to significant security risks. And they are much more convenient than buying a local SMI card to replace your phone’s own when travelling.
With GigSky, you control everything through a simple app on your phone. You first choose your destination and then set up your eSIM ready to simply activate it when you touch down on arrival.
In summary, an eSIM is the safe, inexpensive and convenient solution to travelling with your phone or tablet while abroad, and with GigSky’s free trial offer you can test it out on the road at no cost! Digital nomads, international business travellers and holidaymakers can get started right away.
VISA perks
If you are a VISA customer, you can take further advantage of special promotional offers that allow you to redeem complimentary mobile plans.
Get 500MB of free mobile data