Using phone when abroad

madnessnmayhem

Hi, I'm on sim plan with Virgin Mobile I'm heading to the states for 2 weeks in couple months, what are my options? Will I need to get a pay as u go type phone I know I can use WiFi I don't want to be lambert with large bill while being over there

Thanks in advance

Caranica

If you have an esim facility on your phone download the airolo app and get an esim through them. Much cheaper and so handy.

mrcheez

Handy Airolo seem to work in most countries thanks... I assume you can activate it prior to arriving in the destination country?

Does it switch automagically once you land?

Caranica

You need to activate it when you land. I use airport WiFi. I've used it in several countries and it has saved me a fortune

ted1

just looked at Airalo it’s still pretty expensive,

can your phone take a second sim?

best bet is to pick up a local SIM card.

mrcheez

Not sure about OP (sorry to hijack thread) but my phone is one SIM and eSIMs are actively encouraged.

Paying a few euro extra doesn't bother me to save the hassle of finding a place selling sims, bringing the special tool along to open the phone, making sure not to lose my original SIM while backpacking, etc, etc 🤣

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120063988#Comment_120063988

You make it sound like hard work.

most airports have a place that sell SIMs they’ll even put it in your phone for you

it’s more than a few euro.

take Oman for example : they charge 27 USD for 5GB, a local sim would cost that but give you 30Gb. So you are looking at 135 USD difference

mrcheez

ah ok.. for my destination it's only $32 for 20GB which will be all I'll ever need

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120064025#Comment_120064025

But who needs 30Gb on holiday? In the US there's a lot of WiFi so 3-5 gigs should be more than ample for a fortnight

endofrainbow

Buy a cheap Tracfone from Walmart.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120064132#Comment_120064132

Lots of people.

Google Maps, Spotify, city guides, Netflix etc Burns through the data fast , especially if you set your phone to tether so your partner or kids can use the data too.