There is one travel expense that many British travellers think about carefully before going abroad: mobile connectivity.

We can spend weeks comparing flights and hotels, yet sometimes we don't know exactly how much staying connected will cost until we arrive.

Your home mobile operator determines which network you use, the available roaming options and how charges are applied.

Today, however, Travel eSIM services give travellers another way to arrange their mobile connectivity abroad.

Travel eSIMs are a digital alternative to traditional roaming, offered by providers such as the Swiss company Yesim.

They allow travellers to choose a data package before departure and manage their connectivity through an app.

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eSIMs can usually be set up before travelling and are supported by most modern smartphones

The traditional way of staying connected abroad

When relying on roaming, the available options and pricing are set by your mobile provider.

Travellers may need to compare roaming zones, fair use policies and data allowances before choosing the right option.

For trips covering several countries, understanding different roaming terms can become more complicated, as each destination may have its own rules and charges.

Daily roaming passes can help make costs more predictable, but terms vary by provider and destination.

Travellers may still need to check what is included, how long a pass lasts and whether any usage limits apply.

Another consideration is that phones may automatically connect to available partner networks when abroad, which means travellers may want to understand how their provider handles roaming before they leave.

Putting more choice in the traveller's hands

In 2026, staying connected is an important part of travelling, from using maps and translation apps to keeping in touch with friends and family.

An eSIM is a microchip built into many modern smartphones.

It allows users to download mobile operator profiles remotely without inserting a physical SIM card.

Travel eSIM services use this technology to provide apps where travellers can choose a data plan, monitor usage and manage their connectivity while abroad.

One of the benefits of a Travel eSIM is that travellers can arrange their mobile data before leaving home.

They can select a destination, choose a data allowance and install the profile in advance, meaning compatible devices can connect when they arrive.

If additional data is needed, users can usually top up through the app.

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Travel eSIMs also allow travellers to arrange mobile data before departure

A Swiss travel eSIM provider

Swiss technology company Yesim has been operating in the Travel eSIM market since 2019 and says it has connected more than 3.5 million users worldwide.

The company has also partnered with the World Players Super League (WPSL), an international golf tour that spans more than 1,800 tournaments in over 50 countries.

Yesim offers Travel eSIM plans for various journeys, including single-country trips and multi-destination travel.

The service is available in more than 200 destinations, and the company says it works with more than 800 partner operators worldwide.

Its Switchless Networks technology is designed to connect compatible devices automatically to an available partner network.

Travellers can choose from a range of plans, including the prepaid Global Package (80+ destinations) and Global Plus Package (140+ destinations).

For those who prefer a flexible option, Pay & Fly uses a pay-as-you-go model and is available in more than 170 destinations.

The Multiple eSIMs feature allows users to manage multiple eSIM profiles from a single account, making it easier for families and groups to organise mobile connectivity.

If you're new to Travel eSIM, Yesim offers a trial package with 500 MB of data for 0.45.

New customers can also use the promo code GETYESIM15 for 15% off their first purchase.

To find out more about Yesim, head to https://bit.ly/4ydzzLD

*T&Cs apply. 15% discount valid on first Yesim data plan purchase made via the Yesim app or website. Subject to availability and change. See yesim.app for details.