The eSIM Lounge Blog
Staying connected abroad
Guides to travel eSIMs: what to buy, how to install it, and how the options compare country by country.
Latest guides
October 8, 2026 1 min read
Christmas markets in France 2026: Strasbourg, Colmar and Paris
Official 2026 dates and hours for the Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Colmar and Paris, with the train between Strasbourg and Colmar and a local tip on visiting Colmar.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Flying to Dubai or Abu Dhabi in late 2026: airline suspensions, airspace and how to stay informed
Which foreign airlines have suspended flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi as of 8 October 2026, what UK and US travel advice says about airspace closures, and what to do if flights stop while you are in the UAE.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Entering Europe in 2026: EES is live, ETIAS is not yet, and the UK needs an ETA
EES has replaced passport stamps at Schengen borders since 10 April 2026, while ETIAS has no start date yet. Separately, most visitors to the UK, EU citizens included, now need a £20 ETA before they travel.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Italy strike calendar, autumn 2026: flights, trains and city transport
Every Italian transport strike proclaimed for late October to December 2026, from the official register, with guaranteed hours and the Naples airport closure.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Thailand visa-free for 30 days, not 60, and the TDAC arrival card: the rules from 15 September 2026
Since 15 September 2026, UK, US, Australian and EU visitors get 30 days visa-free in Thailand instead of 60. Who qualifies, how to extend, and how to file the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Arriving in Singapore in 2026: SG Arrival Card, Changi immigration and getting online
Every traveler flying into Singapore must submit the free SG Arrival Card within three days before arrival, and since 30 September 2026 the enhanced card is in the MyICA app. What to do before you land, at Changi immigration and on the way into the city.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Japan tax-free shopping changes on 1 November 2026: how the new refund works
From 1 November 2026, visitors to Japan pay consumption tax in the shop and get it back after a customs check at departure. What changes, what to do at the airport, and how the refund is paid.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
Strikes in France this week: trains, metro and flights
Strikes in France, late October 2026: no transport strike this week; 5 November is a national strike day with four SNCF unions out. Metro, trains and flights.
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October 8, 2026 1 min read
France flight strike, 17 to 21 October 2026: notice suspended, what travelers need to know
The pilot and cabin crew strike called for 17 to 21 October 2026 stays suspended: no new notice, no strike cancellations. The decree it hangs on is still awaited. What it means for your flight, and what to watch next.
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