eSim cell service in Europe?

[DaveNV]

Starting to explore cell and Internet options for our trip to Europe next Summer. I'm reading that the easiest thing to do is get a Europe regional eSim for my cell phone, that provides service in the countries we'll be visiting. Supposedly, when we land in Europe, we switch the eSim in the Settings on the phone from the USA one to the pre-purchased and pre-installed European one. I'm told it gives us service as if we were at home.

Is this true? Has anyone done this? One company I'm looking into (Airalo) seems to have a good program at a reasonable price. Wondering if there are any snags to this I'm not seeing? Are there better companies? We'll be in England, Italy, Greece, and Turkey over a three-week period. It seems like it'd work well, if it does what it says.

Also, how does one make a call to me there? If my pet sitter needs to call me, does she just dial my cell number like she does when I'm at home? Are there international country codes involved?

Obviously, I'm seeking advice. Thanks!

Dave

 

[bizaro86]

I've used Airalo a few times in various places, and have been happy with it. You need to install the eSim in advance. Then you just switch when you land and it starts working. Every country I've used it in has been data only though.

So if you want to be able to talk your pet sitter would need to use something like WhatsApp to make a voice call. I think that's just as convenient as trying to get a local number and dealing with country codes.

It's probably less convenient than just paying for roaming through your regular carrier, but has the potential to be a lot cheaper.

 

[claraj]

I second Whatsapp.

 

[DaveNV]

So Airalo is only data? That's important. Text messages work, though? I don't know whether I'd need to talk directly unless there was a problem of some sort. I use WhatsApp, but never for calls, only messaging.

Dave

 

[youppi]

You can check also Holafly.
A comparison between Airalo and Holafly at https://esimradar.com/airalo-vs-holafly/

Make sure your phone supports eSim and it's unlocked from the carrier to use eSim.
You can check the list of phones that support eSim at https://esim.holafly.com/how-to/esim-phones/

 

[Cornell]

Hi Dave - If you have an iPhone , anyone who you regularly communicate with via iMessage can reach you irregardless of which SIM card, etc you have. Because that's all done through wifi. You could also call other iPhone users through FaceTime using wifi. So that's super reassuring if you and your "regular contacts" all use iPhones.

When I was in Europe last winter I found this whole local SIM thing to be a major PIA. It's one thing if you are in the same country the entire time but it was complex when we moved around.
Plus you have a new phone number that you have to communicate back home w/your loved ones.

If you have a phone plan that allows you to add international calling for a fixed fee every day, I recommend that route. Easy and non complicated.

 

[bizaro86]

So Airalo is only data? That's important. Text messages work, though? I don't know whether I'd need to talk directly unless there was a problem of some sort. I use WhatsApp, but never for calls, only messaging.

Dave

Airalo is only data. Text messages might still work on your primary Sim (my primary service will deliver incoming texts for free) but you don't get a number with Airalo so you could only do messaging via a data based service (whatsapp, Facebook messenger, FaceTime, etc)

 

[AnnaS]

If you have an iPhone - you can FaceTime anyone with an iPhone - no charge. Any other phone, use WhatsApp - no charge for FaceTiming and texting.

We used our TMobile (check with your provider) for me and my husband has a Samsun Android (?) - We had unlimited texting with anyone and .25 cents per minute for any other calls if needed. We used texting and calls with WhatsApp the whole time and FaceTime with anyone with iPhone. Except for my husband and kids/don't know who has iPhone or Android) so for a few cousins, I just sent a text.

 

[moonstone]

I use WhatsApp, but never for calls, only messaging.

We use WhatsApp for calls and video chats from/to Canada, the USA and Belize and even used it 2 years ago from the Netherlands. A few of our family members and friends do not have Facebook so WhatsApp is a good alternative. All the voice calls were as clear as if we were calling from across the street. The video chats were also very clear and we never experienced any disruptions, but that depends on the quality/strength of Wi-Fi you and the recipient have. The only problem is that you can not call a landline with WhatsApp but we are finding more and more people and businesses using it all the time.

~Diane

 

[DaveNV]

Great information! Thanks, everyone! We don't expect to "need" to call anyone, so messaging and WiFi connections are likely good enough.

I do have an unlocked iPhone, and even converted it to work off eSim yesterday. Because I can add multiple eSims to it (per Apple) I wanted to be sure it would work with an eSim we might get from a European company. After reviewing the link above to compare Airalo with Holafly, we think Airalo will give us the most bang for the buck. So we plan to use that one, unless something better comes along.

We'll buy and set up the eSim just before leaving home, since it's good for 30 days, and our trip is 21 days long. When we land in London, we can switch over to the Airalo eSim, and move ahead with things as we visit Italy, Turkey, and Greece. We're flying back through London, so should be able to get our money's worth out of the eSim, all-in. When we get back to the USA, we can switch back to our primary eSim, for our regular cell carrier.

My logic: Since the iPhone can have multiple eSims installed at the same time, and can be switched over at will, I'm thinking of activating International Roaming with our primary carrier before we leave home, so if we DO need to make a call while in Europe, we can switch back to the primary eSim, make the international call, then switch back to the Airalo eSim afterwards. Does that seem practical? I'm going off of what I'm reading, and not from any experience. But it seems like that would work, right?

For the record, these are the posted International Roaming rates from my cell carrier. They're the same for each of the countries we'll visit:

These rates don't seem to be too bad at first glance, but with two of us sharing a data plan at home, I can see these roaming charges adding up pretty quickly. So buying an eSim from Airalo seems easy and convenient, without the surprises like @Cornell got from her recent trip. Right?

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

 

[bizaro86]

These rates don't seem to be too bad at first glance, but with two of us sharing a data plan at home, I can see these roaming charges adding up pretty quickly. So buying an eSim from Airalo seems easy and convenient, without the surprises like @Cornell got from her recent trip. Right?

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

I like having plenty of data when I travel for Google maps, work emails, and just general surfing. On my most recent trip I bought, downloaded, and installed an airalo esim from the plane while we were taxiing before we left our home airport. It took ~5 minutes. IIRC you have a tech background, I'm fairly sure you'd find it easy/convenient. I have an android (Samsung) but I'm sure it's just as straightforward on iPhone. They have good step by step instructions in their app once you buy it.

It's less convenient but cheaper than using your carriers roaming rates, so whether that's worth it is largely an individual choice. I'm kind of cheap so for me I don't mind.

 

[jl2010]

I was in Spain Italy and France also Corsica and Ibiza islands in the Mediterranean in August and I used travel basic+ eSim from Bouygues for $21.90 for a French telephone number and 15 gigs of data over 2 weeks. It was very easy to toggle on and off. While connected to Wi-Fi I used Verizon as my secondary Sim. Yes, you can install in the United States and when you land in any of the host countries it will activate automatically and start the clock running. It will also text you your French telephone number and tell you you're active in French of course. It worked flawlessly for me. I bought mine here. https://www.simoptions.com/esim-europe/. By the way I did this because Verizon wanted to charge me $10 a day!! Yikes.

 

[DaveNV]

I was in Spain Italy and France also Corsica and Ibiza islands in the Mediterranean in August and I used travel basic+ eSim from Bouygues for $21.90 for a French telephone number and 15 gigs of data over 2 weeks. It was very easy to toggle on and off. While connected to Wi-Fi I used Verizon as my secondary Sim. Yes, you can install in the United States and when you land in any of the host countries it will activate automatically and start the clock running. It will also text you your French telephone number and tell you you're active in French of course. It worked flawlessly for me. I bought mine here. https://www.simoptions.com/esim-europe/. By the way I did this because Verizon wanted to charge me $10 a day!! Yikes.

Excellent options. Thanks! I don't think having a different phone number would be that important in this case. I think text and emails will cover most things, and I can switch eSims and make a call home if I need to.

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

I like having plenty of data when I travel for Google maps, work emails, and just general surfing. On my most recent trip I bought, downloaded, and installed an airalo esim from the plane while we were taxiing before we left our home airport. It took ~5 minutes. IIRC you have a tech background, I'm fairly sure you'd find it easy/convenient. I have an android (Samsung) but I'm sure it's just as straightforward on iPhone. They have good step by step instructions in their app once you buy it.

It's less convenient but cheaper than using your carriers roaming rates, so whether that's worth it is largely an individual choice. I'm kind of cheap so for me I don't mind.

Yes, I have a tech background, and I've read through the Install FAQ. Seems very straightforward. The reason I'd want to install it before leaving home is because it says you need a Wifi signal to install it. If I can do it from home, I can make sure all is well on two phones before we depart.

Dave

 

[bizaro86]

Yes, I have a tech background, and I've read through the Install FAQ. Seems very straightforward. The reason I'd want to install it before leaving home is because it says you need a Wifi signal to install it. If I can do it from home, I can make sure all is well on two phones before we depart.

Dave

Yeah, I don't recommend the "while the plane is taxiing plan", that was just because I forgot to do it before leaving. I mentioned it only as an indicator of how long it takes (not very long).

 

[WinniWoman]

If you have an iPhone - you can FaceTime anyone with an iPhone - no charge. Any other phone, use WhatsApp - no charge for FaceTiming and texting.

We used our TMobile (check with your provider) for me and my husband has a Samsun Android (?) - We had unlimited texting with anyone and .25 cents per minute for any other calls if needed. We used texting and calls with WhatsApp the whole time and FaceTime with anyone with iPhone. Except for my husband and kids/don't know who has iPhone or Android) so for a few cousins, I just sent a text.

Wait. So if I have a locked phone I can use the what’s app to text and FaceTime people in the USA as long as there’s a wifi connection? Is that right?

Cause I have straight talk as my provider and they do not have international roaming.

 

[WinniWoman]

Hi Dave - If you have an iPhone , anyone who you regularly communicate with via iMessage can reach you irregardless of which SIM card, etc you have. Because that's all done through wifi. You could also call other iPhone users through FaceTime using wifi. So that's super reassuring if you and your "regular contacts" all use iPhones.

When I was in Europe last winter I found this whole local SIM thing to be a major PIA. It's one thing if you are in the same country the entire time but it was complex when we moved around.
Plus you have a new phone number that you have to communicate back home w/your loved ones.

If you have a phone plan that allows you to add international calling for a fixed fee every day, I recommend that route. Easy and non complicated.

So if the other person in the USA has an iPhone I can text or FaceTime free from my iPhone using wifi in Italy?

 

[Cornell]

So if the other person in the USA has an iPhone I can text or FaceTime free from my iPhone using wifi in Italy?

Yes ma'am.

Plus there is something called Wifi Calling on an iPhone which I use b/c I have terrible cell service where I live. Anways, this article explains a bit about your iPhone and how helpful it is w/just wifi and no cell service.

How to Set Up Wi-Fi Calling on an iPhone

Need to make an important phone call in a cellular dead zone? Wi-Fi Calling helps you make or receive phone calls on your Apple devices, even when your phone says 'No Service.'

www.pcmag.com

 

[Cornell]

Wait. So if I have a locked phone I can use the what’s app to text and FaceTime people in the USA as long as there’s a wifi connection? Is that right?

Cause I have straight talk as my provider and they do not have international roaming.

Yes. If your "main people" in your life all use iPhones you can truly turn off your cell phone service when out of the country. And you know they can reach you via iMessage or FaceTime as long as you connect to wifi which isn't hard to do.

 

[claraj]

So if the other person in the USA has an iPhone I can text or FaceTime free from my iPhone using wifi in Italy?

iPhone to iPhone text messages, or iMessages use data. FaceTime also uses data. Therefore these functions will work as long as you have a data connection like WiFi. SMS texting (such as to Android phones) and cellular calling may still work but will likely incur significant charges without an international plan. Hope this helps!

 

[WinniWoman]

iPhone to iPhone text messages, or iMessages use data. FaceTime also uses data. Therefore these functions will work as long as you have a data connection like WiFi. SMS texting (such as to Android phones) and cellular calling may still work but will likely incur significant charges without an international plan. Hope this helps!

So what is iMessage? I only know if the green text messaging app on my iPhone. Is iMessage different?

 

[claraj]

So what is iMessage? I only know if the green text messaging app on my iPhone. Is iMessage different?

iMessage are messages or pictures sent between Apple devices. The send button is blue for these messages.

 

[Cornell]

So what is iMessage? I only know if the green text messaging app on my iPhone. Is iMessage different?

The green icon on your phone w/the white "caption" icon is where you are sending text messages to and from.
When you send receive messages w/someone who has an iphone note that color of their messages is BLUE. That means your phone is sending and receiving via iMessage - unique to Apple and can be sent / received w/o any cell service.

Some of your messages have a green background. These are going to or from people who do NOT have an iphone. You need cell service to receive these. They are being sent via SMS. If you are in Europe and turn off your cell service you wouldn't be able to message them or receive messages from them.

 

[claraj]

I think there's a feature or option to turn on iMessage. Settings-> Messages -> make sure iMessage is toggled on (switch is green).

 

[jp10558]

I have found very few phones support eSim (if you're android) and they're the most expensive ones. However, if you've got a cheap one, make sure it's unlocked, and you can drop in a local SIM. The issue I've found is not contacting people back home (I have Signal - much better privacy than WhatsApp, and Work gives us a internet based work phone number now), it's I can't for the life of me figure out how to call any local business in Ireland or the UK where I currently am. Of course, that's usually not a big deal.