On a Bleisure Trip? Here’s the Best Way to Work While You Travel
Adam Luehrs November 16, 2019
Does anyone really have the luxury of fully checking out anymore? A holiday away doesn’t necessarily mean a holiday away from work emails and phone calls. Of course, some people simply like having the ability to check in with family or stay up to date with news while traveling. Don’t forget that going spartan in the digital sense is tough if you’re planning to use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft during your travels. The good news is that the world is more connected than ever. That means that you can find ways to stay connected while you’re technically unplugged from the daily grind. Are you wondering how to make calls, contact loved ones, hail an Uber ride and update your posts on social media with some envy-inducing vacation snaps from a foreign country? Take a look at some simple solutions for staying plugged in when you’re technically unplugged from life.
Take a Look at International SIM Cards
You may be wondering if you’ll need to purchase a new phone or sign up for a pricey plan just to be able to stay connected during a trip abroad. The truth is that an international SIM card can come to the rescue! Companies like OneSimCard, WorldSIM and KnowRoaming allow you to order SIM cards online before your trip. Each option comes with its own pricing system and set of perks. OneSimCard and WorldSIM both provide you with two numbers. OneSimCard actually makes all incoming calls to your virtual European number totally free. What’s more, all incoming texts for your European and American numbers will be free. KnowRoaming gives you the option to use WhatsApp for free whenever data is available.
You can also head to a store like Best Buy or Walmart to pick up a travel SIM card in person. There are plenty of keep-your-own-phone kits that can help to make your phone compatible in whichever country you’re traveling to during your trip. Even brick-and-mortar stores operated by major carriers often sell SIM cards that can be used for international travel.
It’s okay if you don’t remember to plan ahead. Buying a SIM card when you arrive in a new country is easy. In fact, in many countries, you can buy a SIM card at the airport, and it usually only takes a few minutes. However, some countries such as Thailand, and Guatemala, now require you to show your passport, so be prepared for a longer process.
Check out the consolidated Prepaid Sim Cards in USA forums on FlyerTalk to see a good comparison of prepaid plans.
Ask Your Mobile Carrier About International Options
Your mobile carrier may actually allow you to simply purchase day passes for international coverage. Both AT&T and Verizon offer this option. You can expect to pay at least $10 per day for international coverage through most carriers out of the United States that offer this option. You can call up your coverage provider to see what’s available for your particular phone and plan. The only thing to keep in mind is that data speeds may be slower than you’re used to once you get outside of the country!
Consider Google Fi
Google devotees may want to look into Google Fi if they travel often. Using this option as your international digital lifeline does require you to sign up for a plan that you can use for your everyday data needs. However, the big perk of an unlimited plan through Google Fi is that you’re going to get high-speed data abroad. That fact alone makes Google Fi something that should be considered by people who travel internationally often. This is a convenient option if you are looking for a multi-country SIM card.
Use a Global Wi-Fi Hot Spot
What if you really need to be able to connect your laptop to get some work done while traveling? You can actually purchase your own Wi-Fi hot spot that’s compatible for international use. A company called Skyroam offers service that allows you to connect in more than 130 countries. What makes this service great for work sessions is that you can connect up to 10 devices at once. You won’t need to think about SIM cards or roaming charges when you go for an option like this.
Bottom Line
If you want constant connectivity and want to spend the least amount of money, buying local sim cards once you arrive at your destination is probably going to be the best option. Even in countries where you have to show your passport or provide additional information to buy a SIM card, the whole process shouldn’t take more than five or 10 minutes, and finding a seller shouldn’t be too hard.
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What is the secret? I've had T-Mobile for @ 20 years. In that time I've used their roaming and data service since they have been available. Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Guam, Japan, all through central America and northern South America, Europe and Israel. Ok, It's probable T-Mobile wasn't always the least expensive but why juggle multiple sims and programs when you have one that works?
I used T-Mobile on a recent trip to the UK and Ireland, and it worked fine, although slowly. Still, I had unlimited texting, which came in handy when disrupted train service kept me from meeting a friend for dinner. Upon arrival in the UK, I was given the option of adding 30 days of full-speed service for a price (I forget exactly what the price was), which I took, and my phone worked the same as in the U.S. for internet, which was great when I needed to access Google maps. I found that AT&T's per-day international plan had a hidden hazard. Perhaps I needed it for only one thing, such as finding an address in Tokyo while wandering in the approximate neighborhood, only to forget to turn it off, thus incurring charges that I didn't need to pay.
May be worth mentioning that newer iPhones have eSIM capability (so you don't need to swap-out SIM cards), which allows you to add short-term data plans from providers such as Truphone or GigSky on-demand when travelling (just make sure you have their apps downloaded and activate it whilst you still have a data connection or access to WiFi). Even though they are data-only, with the amount of VoIP services out there the data package is usually enough for most trips. Note that the price will usually be quoted in the currency where you are at the moment: so if you want to pay in USD and then travel to Australia, make sure you buy the plan in the US before leaving / taking-off.
Right! no mention of Tmobile, the best of the 3 larger US carriers for intl roaming....
or just T mobile its works fine all over the world