Staying Connected While Traveling: SIM vs eSIM vs Pocket WiFi

When you travel abroad, internet access is no longer optional — it's essential. Finding your way through an unfamiliar city with Google Maps, checking reviews of local restaurants, breaking down language barriers with a real-time translation app, letting family and friends know you're safe — modern travel barely functions without a smartphone and a connection. As more services depend on the internet — mobile payments, ride-hailing apps, QR-code check-ins at your accommodation — securing a stable connection has become a key factor in the quality of your trip.

But there isn't just one way to get online abroad. Local SIM cards, eSIM, pocket WiFi, and carrier roaming are all options, and each has clear strengths and weaknesses. The best choice depends on your destination, the length of your trip, how many people are traveling, and how much data you use, so it pays to compare carefully and prepare before you leave. In this article, we compare the four methods in detail, along with recommendations by country and security precautions.

Why You Need Internet When Traveling Abroad

Let's look more concretely at why internet has become so important abroad. The most basic use is maps and navigation. Apps like Google Maps, Naver Map, and KakaoMap can guide you to your destination in real time. You can check public transit routes, walking directions, and travel times, so there's no need to worry about getting lost. Complicated subway transfers in Japan or tram networks in Europe, in particular, are very hard to figure out without the internet.

Real-time translation is a survival tool in countries where you don't speak the language. Google Translate's camera feature translates menus, signs, and notices on the spot. Apps like Papago offer translation tuned for Korean, plus an interpreter mode that helps you talk with locals. All of these features require an internet connection.

Mobile payments and reservations are also impossible without the internet. Hailing a taxi with Grab in Southeast Asia, calling an Uber in Europe, booking a restaurant in Japan, or paying for a local tour on the spot — all of it requires a connection. Recently, more countries require you to submit electronic customs or health declaration forms online on arrival, so you often need to be connected the moment you land.

Finally, there's safety and communication. In an emergency, looking up your embassy's contact details, reaching local emergency services, or sharing your location with family all require a connection. Getting real-time flight-change alerts or exchanging messages with your accommodation also goes far more smoothly when you're online.

Option 1: Local SIM Card

The local SIM card is the most traditional method, and one that many travelers still prefer. You buy a prepaid SIM card issued by a carrier at your destination and insert it into your own smartphone.

Where do you buy one?

You can buy a local SIM in several places. The most common is the arrivals hall at the airport. Most international airports have carrier booths or vending machines, so you can buy one right after you clear immigration. That said, SIMs sold at the airport are often a bit more expensive than in the city.

Buying at a carrier shop in the city is usually cheaper and offers a wider range of plans. In Japan, electronics stores like Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera also sell SIMs for travelers. In Southeast Asia, you can easily buy a SIM at convenience stores, too — Thailand's 7-Eleven and convenience store chains in Vietnam sell SIMs from AIS, TrueMove, Viettel, and others.

You can also buy one in advance before you leave home. Ordering an overseas SIM ahead of time from an online store that specializes in SIM cards lets you activate it as soon as you arrive, which is convenient. The price is also often cheaper than at the local airport.

Price ranges and data amounts

The price of a local SIM varies widely by country and data amount. In Japan, a 7-day 3GB SIM runs about 1,500–3,000 yen, while an unlimited SIM is around 3,000–5,000 yen. Thailand is very affordable, with an 8-day unlimited SIM costing 299–599 baht. Europe varies by country, but a SIM that supports EU-wide roaming (such as Vodafone or Orange) is around 10–30 euros.

Pros and cons

The advantage of a local SIM is that it uses the local network directly, so call quality and data speed are stable. You get a local phone number, so you can make local calls and send texts, and you can use services that require a local number, like Grab or food delivery apps. It tends to offer generous data for the price, and you don't have to carry a separate device.

The downside is that swapping the physical SIM is a hassle, and you need a SIM ejector pin to open the tray. On phones that aren't dual-SIM, you can't use your home number at the same time, and there can be a language barrier during activation. If you're visiting several countries, you also face the inconvenience of buying a new SIM in each one.

Option 2: eSIM (Embedded SIM)

The eSIM is the overseas internet solution getting the most attention lately. Instead of a physical SIM card, you download a carrier profile digitally, offering excellent convenience and flexibility.

Checking eSIM compatibility

To use an eSIM, first check whether your phone supports it. iPhones support eSIM on the iPhone XS, XR, and later (2018 and newer). U.S. iPhone 14 models have no physical SIM slot at all and support eSIM only. Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM on the S20 and later, plus the Fold/Flip series. Google Pixel supports it from the Pixel 3a onward. Note that even the same model may or may not support eSIM depending on the country or carrier version, so checking directly in your settings menu is the most reliable approach.

Buying and installing an eSIM

You buy an eSIM online and install it by scanning a QR code. Well-known eSIM providers include Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and eSIM.me. In these apps you choose your destination country and data plan, pay, and a QR code is issued right away. Scanning that QR code in your phone's settings installs the eSIM profile.

Prices vary by provider and country, but they're generally similar to or slightly higher than a local SIM. A 7-day unlimited eSIM for Japan is around 15,000–25,000 won, and a 30-country, 7-day 5GB plan for Europe is around 15,000–20,000 won. When you're visiting several countries, choosing a regional plan covered by a single eSIM is very convenient.

Pros and cons

The eSIM's biggest advantage is convenience. You can set up overseas internet with a few taps in an app, with no physical card to swap. You can keep your existing home SIM physically in place while using an eSIM for overseas data, giving you a dual-SIM effect. You can take calls from home while using overseas data at the same time. And when you visit multiple countries, a single regional plan can cover them, so you don't have to change SIMs in each one.

The downside is that you can't use it on a device that doesn't support eSIM. Many budget phones and older models still don't support it. Also, most data-only eSIMs don't come with a local phone number, so they can be inconvenient when you need to make local calls (contacting a Grab driver, booking a restaurant, and so on). In some countries, an eSIM profile's data speed can be slower than a local SIM.

Option 3: Pocket WiFi

Pocket WiFi means renting a portable wireless router and sharing Wi-Fi across several devices. It's an especially economical and practical choice for family or group travel.

How to rent and return

You can rent pocket WiFi through several channels. Booking online and picking it up at the airport is the most common. You pick it up before departure at a Korean airport such as Incheon or Gimpo, and return it at the same place when you get back. There are various rental companies to choose from.

You can also pick it up at your destination airport. In Japan, for example, many services let you collect the device directly at airports like Narita, Haneda, and Kansai. The advantage of local pickup is that you don't have to wait in line at the Korean airport, and you get a device optimized for the local network.

Some services also support delivery to your accommodation. In Japan, they can ship pocket WiFi to your hotel or Airbnb, and you can return it by mail too, which is very convenient. Just keep in mind that you have to match the delivery schedule precisely, so it's best to book with some lead time.

Price and battery

Renting pocket WiFi costs around 3,000–8,000 won per day. Unlimited data is often the default, and a 7-day rental runs about 20,000–50,000 won. Note that a separate deposit may be required (usually refunded on return), and you may be charged a fee if the device is lost or damaged, so consider the insurance option too.

Battery is pocket WiFi's biggest weakness. Most devices last around 6–10 hours, which may not be enough if you're out all day. It's a good idea to carry a power bank as well, or to choose a high-capacity battery option when you rent. Some services also rent a power bank alongside the device for free or at a low price.

Pros and cons

The advantage of pocket WiFi is that several devices can use it at once. You can usually connect 5–10 devices simultaneously, so a family of four can each connect their smartphone and tablet with room to spare. Split across devices, the cost is far cheaper than a SIM or eSIM. Since you don't swap your phone's SIM, you keep your home number as-is, and you can also use the internet on a laptop or tablet.

The downside is that you always have to carry a separate device. At 100–200g it's light, but it's still one more thing to pack in your bag. You also have to manage the battery, and the connection drops when you get too far from the pocket WiFi, which is inconvenient when your group splits up. There's also the risk of having to pay a fee if you lose it.

Option 4: Carrier Roaming

Carrier roaming lets you keep using your existing number and data abroad through your home carrier (SKT, KT, or LG U+). It's the most convenient option with no separate preparation, but it costs relatively more.

Roaming fees by carrier

SKT's baro roaming is around 11,000 won per day for unlimited data, covering major destinations like Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Choosing a 3-, 5-, or 7-day package brings the per-day rate down further. KT's roaming data products are in a similar range, with daily unlimited at about 10,000–12,000 won. LG U+ offers roaming plans at a comparable level.

All three carriers bill by the day by default, and some auto-roaming products don't charge you on days you don't use data. However, with auto-roaming, charges can spike depending on how much data you use, so be sure to sign up for a flat-rate plan in advance. If auto-roaming kicks in without a plan, a single day's data could be billed anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of won.

Pros and cons

Roaming's advantage is overwhelming convenience. With no SIM swap, app install, or device rental, you use it abroad exactly as you do at home. Your home number stays active, so you can still receive calls and texts, and you can get customer support for data usage in Korean. It's well suited to people who aren't comfortable with technology, or to urgent business trips where you can't prepare separately.

The downside is that it costs more than the other methods. At 10,000–12,000 won a day, that's similar to or more expensive than a 7-day SIM or eSIM plan. For a 7-day trip, roaming alone could run 70,000–80,000 won, four to five times the cost of a local Southeast Asian SIM (10,000–20,000 won). Some roaming products also cap data speed (around 3G levels), which can make video calls or streaming difficult.

The Four Methods at a Glance

Recommended Method by Country

Japan

Japan has well-developed internet infrastructure for foreign travelers. An eSIM is the top recommendation. Japan-specific eSIMs are fast and stable, and reasonably priced. You can buy a 7-day unlimited eSIM for 15,000–20,000 won from providers like Airalo or IIJmio. Note that in Japan you use taxi apps (GO, Japan Taxi) rather than ride-hailing apps like Grab, and these apps work without a local phone number, so an eSIM is enough. For family travel, pocket WiFi is also a good choice. Japan has very well-developed pocket WiFi services, with convenient airport pickup/return and unlimited data at a reasonable price.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, etc.)

In Southeast Asia, a local SIM is the most economical and practical. SIMs from local carriers like Thailand's AIS and TrueMove, Vietnam's Viettel, and Indonesia's Telkomsel are very cheap and offer generous data. In Thailand, you can buy an 8-day unlimited SIM for 300 baht (about 12,000 won) at the airport, and they'll even help you activate it. Apps like Grab and Foodpanda work more smoothly in Southeast Asia when you have a local number, so the advantages of a local SIM stand out even more.

Europe

For travel in Europe, an eSIM is by far the most convenient. Roaming between EU countries is free, so a single eSIM works as you move between countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Holafly's Europe eSIM offers unlimited data and works in more than 30 countries. Buying a local SIM means visiting an Orange or Vodafone shop, and passport registration is sometimes required, which is a hassle. In Europe, preparing an eSIM before you leave is the most efficient approach.

United States

Because of the vast territory, network coverage in the U.S. varies by region. Big cities are fine with any method, but connection quality can drop in national parks or rural areas. We recommend an eSIM or a local SIM (a T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid SIM), choosing a U.S.-specific data plan. T-Mobile's Tourist Plan offers 3 weeks of unlimited data and calls for about $50. For longer trips a local SIM is good value, while for short trips an eSIM is convenient.

Public Wi-Fi Security Precautions

When you use the free Wi-Fi at a café, airport, or hotel abroad, you need to be especially careful about security. Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it's an environment that's vulnerable to attackers.

First, never do financial transactions on public Wi-Fi. Anything involving money — online banking, card payments, cryptocurrency trades — should always be done on your own mobile data or a secure network. A password or card number you enter on public Wi-Fi can be stolen by an attacker on the same network.

Second, use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN encrypts your internet traffic so you can use the internet safely even on public Wi-Fi. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are well-known paid VPN services. Free VPNs are often slow and weak on security, so use a paid service where possible.

Third, always verify the Wi-Fi name. Attackers create fake hotspots with names like "Free Airport WiFi" or "Hotel_Guest" to lure you in. When you connect to Wi-Fi at a café or hotel, ask a staff member for the exact Wi-Fi name and password. It's best to avoid open networks that connect without a password.

Preparing Offline Features in Advance

No matter how thoroughly you prepare your internet, the connection can drop in unexpected situations (tunnels, mountainous areas, inside subways, and so on). To be ready for these, set up features you can use offline in advance.

Downloading offline maps is the most important preparation. If you download offline maps of your travel area in Google Maps ahead of time, you can view maps and search routes even without internet. In the Google Maps app, tap the search bar, choose "offline maps," and download the area you want. Naver Map (Japan) also supports offline maps, and Maps.me offers offline maps of the whole world for free.

Also download the offline packs for your translation app. Google Translate offers offline translation packages by language. If you download the language pack for your destination — Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and so on — in advance, you can do basic translation even without internet.

Make use of the myTravel app's offline cache feature too. myTravel offers a cache feature so you can check your travel itinerary even offline. If you open your itinerary in the app before you leave, you can view your schedule, place details, notes, and more even when the connection drops. When you add a new place or edit your schedule during the trip, it syncs automatically once you're back online.

Save important documents as PDFs — flight tickets, hotel booking confirmations, travel insurance certificates — or take screenshots. Finding a confirmation in your email app requires internet, but if you save it in advance, you can show it offline.

Using a VPN: Security and Convenience Together

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is more than a simple security tool when you travel abroad — it can be used in a variety of ways. We touched on public Wi-Fi security above, but a VPN's range of uses is wider.

Accessing region-restricted content: Abroad, the content on Korean streaming services like Netflix, Wavve, and Coupang Play may appear differently. Connecting to a Korea-based VPN server lets you access the same content you would in Korea. Conversely, if you want to access local content, connect to a server in that country.

Bypassing internet censorship: In countries with internet censorship — China, parts of Vietnam, Iran, and others — services like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and KakaoTalk are blocked. A VPN lets you get around these restrictions. That said, respect the laws of the country you're in and use it only for personal communication.

Comparing flight prices: Some airlines and hotel booking sites show different prices depending on your access country. Connecting to a server in another country via VPN can sometimes reveal cheaper prices. This method is legal, but be careful — a payment can be declined when your card details and access country don't match.

Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Method for You

The best way to get internet abroad depends on your travel style, destination, budget, and technical comfort. To summarize:

• Solo short trips, travelers comfortable with technology: An eSIM is the most convenient and economical.
• Family travel, group travel: Pocket WiFi is economical because it can be shared across several devices.
• Long trips in Southeast Asia, need for local apps: A local SIM is best for value and practicality.
• Business trips, seniors, short on prep time: Carrier roaming is the simplest.

Whichever method you choose, the key is to prepare before you leave. Time spent fumbling around without internet after you arrive takes away from the fun of the trip. When you build your travel itinerary with myTravel, try adding internet prep to your checklist too. With a tailored itinerary and a stable connection in place, your trip will be that much smarter and more comfortable.