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 20, 2026 1 min read
Best international phone plan for travel (2026): carrier passes, travel eSIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi
There are four ways to get data abroad: your carrier's day pass or included roaming, a travel eSIM, a local SIM card, or a pocket WiFi rental. What each one costs on a real trip, when your carrier wins, and which one to pick.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Travel SIM card or eSIM? The best international SIM for your trip (2026)
A travel SIM is a SIM card or eSIM sold for use abroad. Physical travel SIM, local SIM at the airport or travel eSIM: how each works, what it costs, keeping your US number, and which one fits your trip.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Will my phone work in Portugal? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve (2026)
A recent US phone works in Portugal, but Verizon and AT&T charge $12 a day per line. What each carrier gives you, what a week costs, road trips in the Algarve, the Azores and Madeira, and when a travel eSIM is cheaper.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Will my phone work in Greece? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile on the mainland and the islands (2026)
Yes, a recent US phone works in Athens and on the islands, but Verizon and AT&T charge $12 a day per line. What each carrier gives you, what a 10-day island-hopping trip costs, ferries and cruise ports, and when a travel eSIM is cheaper.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Will my phone work in the UK? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in London and beyond (2026)
Yes, a recent US phone works in the UK, but Verizon and AT&T charge $12 a day per line. What each carrier gives you, what a week in London costs, mobile signal on the Tube, the UK ETA, and when a travel eSIM is cheaper.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
eSIM for a cruise: what works at sea, what works in port (2026)
A travel eSIM works in port and near the coast, not on the ship's own network at sea. Which plan covers a Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska or northern Europe cruise, what it costs, and how to set up your phone so a sea day never turns into a $20 roaming day.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Will my phone work in Italy? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in 2026
Yes, a recent US phone works in Italy, but Verizon and AT&T charge $12 a day per line and T-Mobile's included data runs out fast. What each carrier gives you, what a 10-day trip costs, calls and Wi-Fi calling, and when a travel eSIM is cheaper.
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October 20, 2026 1 min read
Will my phone work in Ireland? Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in 2026
Your US phone works in Ireland, but on most plans it costs $12 a day per line. What Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile charge there, Northern Ireland on the same trip, calls and bank codes, and when a travel eSIM costs less.
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October 17, 2026 1 min read
eSIM for Costa Rica: will your phone work, and staying online on a road trip
Your US phone works in Costa Rica, but on most plans it costs $10 to $12 a day. What each carrier charges, why you need mobile data to drive there, where coverage drops, the entry rules, and when a travel eSIM is the better buy.
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